The Gatewayhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca
The official student media source at the University of AlbertaThu, 17 Aug 2017 22:27:53 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.2https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/cropped-LogoWebTab-32x32.pngThe Gatewayhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca
323288876299You’re using the term “Nazi” wronghttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/youre-using-term-nazi-wrong/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/youre-using-term-nazi-wrong/#commentsThu, 17 Aug 2017 22:11:20 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34498On August 11-12, a rally was organized by white nationalists, white supremacists, and members of the alt-right in Charlottesville, Virginia, to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee. The event morphed into a violent race riot, which culminated in an act of vehicular terrorism is that killed one peaceful counter-protestor […]

On August 11-12, a rally was organized by white nationalists, white supremacists, and members of the alt-right in Charlottesville, Virginia, to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee. The event morphed into a violent race riot, which culminated in an act of vehicular terrorism is that killed one peaceful counter-protestor and injured dozens. In the aftermath of this tragedy, commentators from across the political spectrum have vocally condemned the emergence of what they claim is Nazism in the United States.

.@realDonaldTrump, you are embarrassing our country and the millions of Americans who fought and died to defeat Nazism.

It’s easy — and undoubtedly apt — to label these protestors as Nazis when they perform Sieg Heil salutes, incorporate the swastika into their propaganda posters, and refer to detractors as kikes. But it’s baffling to me that the media and popular discourse continues to uncritically use the term Nazism when discussing a demonstration in Virginia — the capital of the Confederacy — that was sparked in large part by action around Confederate monuments.

When we use a term like “Nazi” that has a foreign origin, we turn these people into “others” that are alien to “real” Americans. Thus, my argument is that labelling the recent phenomenon in the United States as Nazism deflects criticism that can be convincingly made of the hardcore, homegrown racism that sits at the very core of the United States of America. We hardly need to reach across the Atlantic for examples of extremist white nationalism, and it hurts the anti-racist movement when we do so.

Let’s look at the context. The United States, the South, Virginia, and Charlottesville all have rich histories of right-wing white nationalism and white supremacy that began long before Nazism took hold of Weimar Germany in the 1920s. The Ku Klux Klan — which has always had a history of Nordicism and anti-Semitism — was established in 1865 and drew inspiration from the Confederate army. This reality is conveniently erased when liberals reduce Richard Spencer and his colleagues to “Nazis” who supposedly draw much of their inspiration from the Third Reich.

I understand the reasoning behind recalling a famous and relatively recent incident of mass atrocity and objective moral evil in the hopes of emphasizing the gravity of the present situation. But beyond superficial symbols and a commitment to white supremacy, the parallels the left is making between Unite the Right protestors and actual Nazis are a bit of a stretch. These individuals are staunchly against government intervention, many are strongly religious, and the purpose of the rally in Charlottesville clearly demonstrates that they are reactionary rather than revolutionary. Moreover, the comparisons between Trump and Hitler are — to put it bluntly — illogical and ridiculous.

the news makes me sick and so do racists in suits who dance around the fact that NAZIS are parading thru the streets in broad daylight

Dangerous right-wing extremism has always existed close to home. By proclaiming that these actions are indicative of Nazi resurrection, we erase the unique, dirty, and uncomfortable national heritage of the United States. As a result, the rhetoric set forth by liberals becomes muddled and ineffectual. If the goal is to create a society devoid of discrimination, it’s important that we tackle the root of the problem. Lazily adopting and misapplying an old label will not help the American public understand the real nature of the people involved in the Charlottesville episode.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/youre-using-term-nazi-wrong/feed/134498The Watch-Men Episode 91: Fan Theorieshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/watch-men-fan-theories/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/watch-men-fan-theories/#respondMon, 14 Aug 2017 18:23:05 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34478Join us for this special edition episode as Matt and Joyce dive into the phenomenon of fan theories. Why is “R+L=J”? and “they’re in purgatory” important? Has this changed how we watch tv and movies? Listen and find out! New winners and losers emerge in the Views from the Seven as we recap the latest […]

Join us for this special edition episode as Matt and Joyce dive into the phenomenon of fan theories. Why is “R+L=J”? and “they’re in purgatory” important? Has this changed how we watch tv and movies? Listen and find out!

New winners and losers emerge in the Views from the Seven as we recap the latest Game of Thrones episode, the Spoils of War.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/watch-men-fan-theories/feed/034478Phantom of the Opera plays at the Jubileehttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/phantom-of-the-opera-jubilee/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/phantom-of-the-opera-jubilee/#respondMon, 14 Aug 2017 15:44:37 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34414What: The Phantom of the Opera Where: The Jubilee Auditorium When: July 26-August 6, 2017 Tickets: Tour tickets purchasable online The Phantom of the Opera returned to Edmonton this summer and took up residence in the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. The production had its debut show in Edmonton on July 26, and had its final show on August 6 […]

The Phantom of the Opera returned to Edmonton this summer and took up residence in the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

The production had its debut show in Edmonton on July 26, and had its final show on August 6 before moving on to Calgary. The Phantom of the Opera is currently the longest running show on Broadway, celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. It’s a story all theatre fanatics are familiar with. Stage manager Michael B. Hodges and actor Derrick Davis (The Phantom) found that the challenge behind this production is making the show feel fresh yet familiar to audiences.

Matthew Murphy

“The show’s been reimagined to be more cinematic,” Hodges says. “We want it to appear as though you’re following the characters — seeing what they’re seeing, feeling what they’re feeling.”

This cinematic approach is afforded to them by the technological advances made in theatre production. The set itself is perhaps the biggest benefactor of these advances. It can rotate and transform in seconds despite weighing 10 tons. This is so that the scenes “wipe and dissolve into each other,” says Hodges. “You never have time to sit back and be bored.”

However, the chandelier may be the most memorable part for audiences (particularly for those sitting center stage in the first three rows, who were directly under the chandelier).

Hodges says the chandelier “plays (more of) a character role in the show itself — it bumps; it moves; The Phantom manipulates it; it has pyro effects; it has special effects so that when it crashes, it makes it feel like it’s crashing down right on the audience.”

Hodges also notes that the production has faced some challenges in Edmonton due to the size and shape of the Jubilee.

“We have a bit of a space issue going upstage or downstage,” Hodges says. “We don’t have as much space as we usually do…so it’s a little bit different of a traffic pattern. Usually on a big show like this traffic patterns are always the same so when you have to introduce a new one, it’s refreshing for some people. For others, change is hard.”

Despite these challenges, Hodges says that the show hasn’t undergone any changes. “Our producers are fantastic,” Hodges says. “One of their goals is they don’t want to present a half-show or a quarter-show. They don’t want to cut anything so every audience member in every market gets to see the whole show.”

Matthew Murphy

Another change in this production is the casting of African-American actor Derrick Davis as The Phantom. Davis is the third African-American in the role and the first to be in the role on tour. Davis admits he wasn’t sure how he was going to be received.

“I was very worried going into some cities that I wouldn’t have been accepted for being a man of colour in this role,” Davis says. “And in those same cities, I got the largest and most open welcome.”

Davis says that his favourite part of the production is the surprise the audience has as their expectations are both met and subverted — striking the perfect balance between fresh and familiar.

“It’s something unexpected in so many different ways,” Davis says. “It has turns, it has fights, it has humor, darkness, light. It’s magical. It really is magical. It’s amazing to see it all come alive.”

The Phantom of the Opera has been received markedly well on its North American tour, which will continue through until fall 2018. Given the resounding success the production had in Edmonton, it likely won’t be long until The Phantom returns once again to the Jubilee.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/phantom-of-the-opera-jubilee/feed/034414Kicking it with Kendrick Lamar: A track-by-track walkthrough of DAMN.https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/track-walkthrough-of-damn/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/track-walkthrough-of-damn/#respondMon, 14 Aug 2017 14:55:28 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34142Editor’s note: This is the writer’s aural journey listening to the tracks of Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. in order. So I was takin’ a walk the other day, and I seen a man — a quiet but intensely observant man — pacin’ up and down the sidewalk. He seemed a bit restless, as if he had […]

“Well, I have all day,” I said — to which he pulled out a gun and pistol-whipped me straight on the head. (“BLOOD.”)

When the track changed, I found myself enveloped in highly-charged aural atmosphere. Like the hypnosis scene in the movie Get Out, I found myself confronting the same man — I call him Kung Fu Kenny, but the public knows him as Kendrick Lamar. Through the tracks of DAMN., he proceeded to tell his story in multiple parts. Listening to songs like “DNA.”, “YAH.,” and “ELEMENT.,” I was shown the pride in my heritage, I was told of the complexities present in my DNA, the humanity of my being, and the humanity of those who look like me. The presentation was so energetic and effective that I immediately became restless.

Having exhausted his personal truths on emotions (“FEEL.”), loyalty (“LOYALTY,” FEAT. RIHANNA.), and pride (“PRIDE.”), Lamar delved into political and social commentary. Here, he recounted the story of a friend whose son had been killed, reaching out to him for advice on what to do — to which Lamar admitted that if the roles were reversed, he would have killed whoever had taken his son from him. “Ain’t no Black power when your baby killed by a coward” (“XXX. FEAT. U2.). I could relate to the dilemma, the honesty.

Near the end of our time together, Lamar revealed more about himself, detailing his fears at various distinct stages of his life. Through his effective delivery and storytelling — he kept me engaged the entire time; I could feel the fear in his voice: “fear of losing creativity” (“FEAR.”). He left the best story for last: a profound tale about how his father would have been killed by Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, his label’s CEO, many years ago (“DUCKWORTH.”). It’s a tale of how Kenny’s life would’ve been drastically different if other choices had been made, and with it, the theme of humility that had been present throughout the whole album is brought full circle.

I came away with an understanding of Kendrick’s complex humanity, filled with contradictions, fear, and much more.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/track-walkthrough-of-damn/feed/034142Proposed SU bill would stop joke candidates from winning the most first-place voteshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/bill-would-stop-joke-candidates/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/bill-would-stop-joke-candidates/#respondSun, 13 Aug 2017 19:02:13 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34464Joke candidates won’t be able to receive the most first-place votes in future elections if a new Students’ Union bylaw passes in council. Bill 2, simply titled “Joke Candidates,” passed its first reading at the July 25 meeting of Students’ Council, and will need to pass its second reading on August 22 to come into effect. The […]

Joke candidates won’t be able to receive the most first-place votes in future elections if a new Students’ Union bylaw passes in council.

Bill 2, simply titled “Joke Candidates,” passed its first reading at the July 25 meeting of Students’ Council, and will need to pass its second reading on August 22 to come into effect. The bill would make major changes to student election rules by deeming that if a joke candidate receives the most first-place votes, the candidate will be dropped and the votes recounted. The bill also says that a joke candidate would have 48 hours after the nomination deadline to become a real candidate.

According to law councillor Sandy Brophy, the bill was drafted in response to the popularity of this past election’s joke candidates for the presidential and vice-president (academic) races, Donut the Cat and Banana the Hamster.

“I talked to a lot of people who said they were first-time voters because, ‘Oh that cat is just too cute so of course I’ll actually go vote this time,’” Brophy said. “So, I was a little scared that Donut could potentially win and we would have a vacant seat in the presidency.”

In March 2017, Donut the Cat won 21 per cent of the vote in the three-way presidential race against Marina Banister and Bashir Mohamed. Banana the Hamster won 33 per cent of the vote in the vice president (academic) race against Shane Scott, the only other candidate for the role.

Brophy said that under current rules, the position stays vacant if a joke candidate wins, which is also what happens when none of the above wins. That vacancy is then filled in a by-election in the fall. Because of that, Brophy says joke candidates are a “second none of the above.”

Brophy added that the 48-hour window a joke candidate has to “unjoke” themselves gives them adequate time to modify their campaign should they feel that the race lacks a qualified candidate.

“If a joke candidate wins, there should be a by-election,” he said. “I don’t think any other candidate worked hard enough to win a victory and they wouldn’t have the confidence to serve.”

Bondarchuk also said that since student councillors tend to run in executive elections, the bill is a way for them to prevent their loss to a joke candidate,which does not address why voters would vote for a joke candidate over a serious candidate.

In response to concerns about the bill, Brophy said voters can still vote for none of the above if they don’t think the other candidates are qualified.

“I think that somebody should be able to whimsically pop down a joke candidate and actually have a real vote as well if they so choose,” Brophy said. “There is potential for error both ways, I’d rather have an error that delivers a person a seat than an error that delivers no one in a seat.”

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the proposed bylaw would stop joke candidates from winning elections. However, under current bylaws joke candidates are not able to hold SU positions even if they do win the most first-place votes in an election, and therefore can’t currently win an executive seat. The article has been changed to clarify that the new bylaw prevents joke candidates from winning the most first-place votes.

Beneath the iconic blue and yellow canvas of Cirque du Soleil’s Grand Chapiteau, the steampunk marvel Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities transports viewers away to a delightfully unique atmosphere full of 19th century elements and matchless curiosities.

Under the big top, intricate gear work surrounds a stage alight with glittering incandescent bulbs while melodious gramophones meander across tiny train tracks. Bodies contort in dizzying harmony, and a dinner party toasts the opening night upside down at 30 feet above the heads of gaping audience members. In this dazzling night of showmanship and spectacle, the performers brought the creation of Charles Laprise to life.

Kurios follows the adventure of the Seeker, a scientist whose invention transports him to a world of imagination as an array of curiosities are animated around him. With an aura of playful mischief, the talented clowns, musicians, dancers, and acrobats of the Cirque whisk audiences up in dynamic costumes and even more enrapturing personalities. From Klara, a “telegrapher of the invisible,” to the serious Mr. Microcosmos and Nico the Accordion Man, the cast of Kurios is an endearing treat.

The show has a natural flow from bouts of clowning and mirth to stunning acrobatic acts. The pacing keeps audiences engaged in the bustling atmosphere with each second, suspended in this ethereal time with a hazy daydream of whirring parts and clicking gears. Bursts of audience interaction throughout the show bring the energy offstage and spread infectious laughter to entire sections. Infamous Edmonton weather and a bout of heavy rain and thunder lead to a brief pause in the performance, but with quick direction and only a slight delay, the acts were cleared to be completed in full.

Aside from the thematic novelty of entering a world of altered realities, the athleticism of the performers themselves was otherworldly and the strength, flexibility, and overall exuberance were a delight to watch. With childlike glee, a group of brightly-leotarded and finned performers-turned-fish flew nearly to the roof of the tent propelled by each other’s weight and the Cirque’s novel acronet, a contraption similar to a trampoline spread across the stage. An incredible group of acrobats closed off the show with a routine of breathtaking backflips and blind leaps.

What makes the Cirque such an enduring company — and Kurios such a successful show — is the patent artistic twist the direction brings. Whether it be the new acrobatic apparatus of the aerial bike or performances done in parallel as performers balance from the ceiling mirroring the show in the ground, this escapist delight is just the right amount of strange and the atmosphere of Kurios makes it a trip like no other. Audiences of all ages can enjoy this playful romp through a world of imagination and the stunning atmosphere under the Grand Chapiteau at Northlands.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/a-review-cirque-du-soleils-kurios/feed/034366Campus needs the fish pondhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/campus-needs-the-fish-pond/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/campus-needs-the-fish-pond/#respondFri, 04 Aug 2017 21:48:18 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34304The fish pond on campus is one of my favourite spots to hang out at. It’s a great place to visit and offers a quiet place to read, chill, or just take a nap. When I walked by last month, I was shocked and disheartened to see dirty water and no fish. Every summer, the […]

The fish pond on campus is one of my favourite spots to hang out at. It’s a great place to visit and offers a quiet place to read, chill, or just take a nap. When I walked by last month, I was shocked and disheartened to see dirty water and no fish.

Every summer, the pond would be teaming with over two dozen koi and goldfish. Vibrant flowers surrounding the pond made it a highlight of the campus, cherished by students. Normally, the fish would be taken into an internal tank when the temperature started to drop in autumn. As the fish population grew, the indoor space ran out and heaters were installed to keep the pond warm and comfortable for the fish during the winter months. This past January, the heater broke, causing the water to freeze over and the fish to die.

I understand the university’s concerns about the cost and maintenance this project would require, but I think it would be worth it. Our campus is an integration of modern architecture and the nature surrounding it. I love being on campus during the summer months and the pond is a big part of what makes the space lively and attractive.

Pond renovations would also maintain the diversity of wildlife that we share our campus with; campus’ plants and animals make the university full of life and offer a quiet respite from the cold dark classrooms of Tory. I love seeing the rabbits on campus and although I avoid running into them, it’s also nice to see the Canadian geese from time to time. In the middle of winter, when most days are grey and dreary, the fish pond remains a fun spot for us to enjoy.

Many students enjoyed the fish pond and have had memorable moments at the serene spot. Some of the fish in the pond were donated to the university, so the renovation would honour the donation that was made. It would be a show of good faith and say that the university values and appreciates the gift. It would show dedication from the university, especially in the light of recent events in the Biological Sciences Aquatics Facility in which a similar power failure caused over 9000 fish and frogs to die. These animals were for use in research and teaching, and the incident has impacted many students and university research labs. By choosing to continue the fish pond program, the university would show that we value the diversity of life that our campus is home to, and are dedicated to protecting it.

The fish pond isn’t just a sanctuary for the koi and goldfish that inhabit it, it’s a place where students can unwind, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty of our diverse campus.

]]>The Watch-men pick their weekly Game of Thrones winners and losers during their Views from the Seven Kingdoms before switching gears to review Baby Driver –thecritically and commercially popular car chase/heist movie which DOESN’T feature Vin Diesel.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/watch-men-episode-90-baby-driver/feed/034397Album Review: 4:44https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/album-review-444/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/album-review-444/#respondFri, 04 Aug 2017 20:57:14 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34282JAY-Z 4:44 Roc Nation http://lifeandtimes.com/ Let’s get a few things out of the way. First, Jay-Z cheated on Beyoncé. Second, yes I did re-subscribe to TIDAL so I could listen to this album to find out that it would be available on Apple Music a week later, contributing even more to the already overinflated Blue […]

First, Jay-Z cheated on Beyoncé. Second, yes I did re-subscribe to TIDAL so I could listen to this album to find out that it would be available on Apple Music a week later, contributing even more to the already overinflated Blue Ivy Carter college fund. Guess how I’m feelin’? Dumbo. Third, No I.D. is a champion. Last but not least, JAY-Z CHEATED ON BEYONCÉ. I’m sorry for repeating myself, but that sentence will never make sense to me.

On June 30th, Jay-Z?…JAY Z?…JAY-Z?…let’s just call him Shawn — released his most personal and contemplative album in recent memory. No other album in the rapper’s illustrious catalogue has taken you inside the depths of who he is at a juncture of his life more than 4:44.

Shawn is a father and husband. Shawn loves his family. Shawn is bad at relationships. Shawn goes to therapy and suggests that you should too. These self-admissions are a far cry from the rapper that I grew up admiring for his unbridled competitiveness, which often looks like pure arrogance rather than aspirational confidence.

Don’t worry. Shawn is still very much Jay-Z/JAY-Z. Meaning that your favourite rapper (or 90’s R&B star) is never safe from his verbal sparring. Yet the punches he throws which used to be devastating haymakers to his adversaries’ entire careers now serve as calculated jabs to get a more elaborate point across. On “Kill Jay Z” he admits that his ego has continually got the best of him leading to the demise of close personal and professional ties. Shawn plays the role of hip-hop’s elder statesman on “Family Feud,” calling for unity between the younger and older generation of emcees. The album’s title track “4:44” serves as the most direct response to Shawn’s infidelity as he pleads for his wife’s absolution.

Rap has always been a young man’s game. Just like in sports, eventually the old, savvy veteran will be replaced by the more youthful and energetic upstart. The young acts of today will headline tours and major festivals, while rappers of yesteryear are relegated to ill-fated reunion concerts and retirement parades. Not Shawn. Shawn is 47, a father of three with a brand new set of twins, STILL married to Beyoncé, and a man who is still showing signs of maturity in middle-age.

A rapper’s longevity has often been dictated by how well they can balance that line between popping and washed. Jay has fully embraced his washed status but proved that by opening up, rappers can indeed age gracefully.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/album-review-444/feed/034282Album Review: Woodstockhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/album-review-woodstock/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/08/album-review-woodstock/#respondWed, 02 Aug 2017 20:14:39 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34278Portugal. The Man Woodstock Atlantic Records http://www.portugaltheman.com/ Portugal. The Man has fucking done it. Completely different from the sassy psychedelic vibes of 2013’s Evil Friends, the band’s latest record Woodstock gets in your face, calls you on your bullshit, and has no regrets about it. The album starts off strong. “Number One” is stark and […]

Portugal. The Man has fucking done it. Completely different from the sassy psychedelic vibes of 2013’s Evil Friends, the band’s latest record Woodstock gets in your face, calls you on your bullshit, and has no regrets about it.

The album starts off strong. “Number One” is stark and bitter: feeding off a bit of their familiar psychedelic sound, the song is almost a blur, leaving the listener dazed. “Easy Tiger” follows with mellow lyrics contrasted with fierce beats — you can definitely add this song to your next ultimate hits roadtrip playlist.

Still, there are a few safe alternatives in the album for those who might feel uncomfortable with feeling the burden of having the responsibility of changing the world. Check out “Feel it Still,” a simple jazzy hit. With the lyrics, “I’m just a rebel for kicks,” you can feel confident that you have some part in participating in being dissatisfied with what’s going on with the world without having to commit to that plan you scrawled in a random notebook about how to fuck the government over during a lecture last semester. If you’re more into that kumbaya, sing-around-fire stuff, check out “Feel it Young,” a laid-back track about not caring about little things, feeling immortal, and getting along. What could be better than that?

Of course I have to mention my personal favourite, “Live in the Moment.” It’s a definite headbanger with its catchy drum beat, powerful lyrics, and perfect touches of electric keyboard, It just makes you feel cooler after listening. You can guarantee this is going on my GET SHIT DONE playlist.

It’s worth mentioning that I felt there was a discord with one of the songs. While an amazing song by itself, “Mr.Lonely” felt like an odd addition to the album. As this song is significantly slower than the others, it was abrupt listening to this midway through the album after hearing six songs full of fast beats and strong melodies. It might have been better as a single, as the melancholic mood didn’t really vibe with the rest of the album.

All in all, Woodstock lives up to its glory. It’s like the millennial version of Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire, except better. Because instead of one song telling you what’s wrong with the world and telling you to fix it, Woodstock gives you 10 songs about that while still incorporating that beautiful indie sound we all know and love. So what are you waiting for? Get your ass in gear and listen to this album.

]]>While Harry Styles, Tom Hardy, and Mark Rylance fight on the land, in the air and on the sea in Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece Dunkirk, the battle for Westeros intensifies in episode 2 of Game of Thrones season 7.

From July 20, 2017 – August 13, 2017, Cirque du Soleil’s talented performers will be under the Big Top at Northlands with Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. This steampunk spectacle promises to dazzle with an eclectic cast and unparalleled acrobatics. Before opening night, performers Andrii Bondarenko and Anne Weissbecker took the time to share what they love about their unique jobs and what audiences can look forward to.

Weissbecker loved performing from a young age and trained at the National Circus School of Montreal, specializing in rope. Kurios is Weissbecker’s second Cirque show — each performance, she’ll share her unique aerial bike act, which took six months to develop.

Bondarenko, on the other hand, comes from ten years in acrosport and performed in Europe before coming to work for Cirque. In past years, he was a Banquine flyer with a large group of acrobats; recently he transitioned to a solo act: balancing his whole body weight on his hands while elevated on chairs.

Kurios is filled with work that puts a spin on classic acts. This is the first time an aerial bike will make an appearance in a Cirque show, which means there are no precedents. Without set tricks, “You have to find everything — the tricks and the choreography and what (works),” Weissbecker says. The bicycle, which has not been adapted for acrobatic maneuvers, has spinning pedals and wheels; Weissbecker must pay attention to the positioning of every aspect of the apparatus right down to the constantly turning handlebars.

Bondarenko’s hand balancing comes with its own novel twist: at the peak of his act, he balances atop a grand total of six chairs stacked above the stage. “If you don’t put the chair on right spot, they’re all going to shake each time when you climb up higher and higher. You have to be really careful with the first three chairs (especially), because (if they’re off-balance), you’ll have trouble,” Bondarenko says.

While each act has its own tone, something the pair appreciates about Kurios as a whole is how it transcends age and makes for an inclusive show. According to Weissbecker and Bondarenko, the atmosphere of Kurios — from its antique vibe to its gramophone decorations — is sure to be exciting for audiences and performers alike. Aside from the show’s unique acts, the sheer intricacy of the entire performance is something Bondarenko says will have audience members coming back.

“You know, so many people (come) to see (the show) a few times, because from one (viewing), you can’t see all the details,” Bondarenko says. “Many things are going on onstage, and they’re great acts, and sometimes it’s even better to go and see from different seats. From different angles, the show looks different.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/cirque-du-soleils-kurios/feed/034267Study finds adult female elk are badass and can’t be caughthttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/female-elk-badass/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/female-elk-badass/#respondWed, 26 Jul 2017 21:54:03 +0000https://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34255Older female elk may prove to be nearly impossible to find this hunting season, according to new research from the University of Alberta. A study from Mark Boyce, a U of A ecology professor, found adult female elk are nearly “bulletproof” in their ability to hide from hunters. Over their lifetime, the female elk, also […]

Older female elk may prove to be nearly impossible to find this hunting season, according to new research from the University of Alberta.

A study from Mark Boyce, a U of A ecology professor, found adult female elk are nearly “bulletproof” in their ability to hide from hunters. Over their lifetime, the female elk, also called cows, learn defensive strategies and change their habitat based on the hunting season and the type of hunters they encounter. Boyce said it’s important to understand how to control hunting to help conservation.

“Humans are having more and more influence on animal populations,” he said.

Using GPS trackers, Boyce observed the change in terrain used by elk cows over six years. When he analyzed the data, he found elk evolved over generations to avoid hunting and were capable of changing their behaviour during their individual life spans to stay safe. Evolution occurred when elk who weren’t good at avoiding hunting died before reproducing. Learning happened when individuals changed their behaviour based on their own experience. Both effects contribute to the survivability of old elk.

“There was selection for shy behaviour,” Boyce said. “But compared to young elk, the matriarch, the oldest female in a herd, is nearly bulletproof.”

Despite elk’s ability to adapt, the North American population was nearly wiped out around the turn of the 20th century. These declines were caused “almost without a doubt by market hunting,” Boyce said. Hunters would take elk for products they could sell as luxury items, like hides and antlers. No controls led to far more hunting than the population could recover from.

Despite this loss, elk have been reintroduced to some success. The Yellowstone population remained strong, which was crucial in reintroducing elk to other regions. Boyce now teaches that understanding the effects of hunting on populations is necessary for preventing similar overhunting.

“(These elk) used to go coast to coast,” he said. “Now they are abundant in the Rocky Mountains, Vancouver Island, Northern Canada, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.”

Both the government and industry have taken an interest in elk populations and jointly funded Boyce’s research through a Collaborative Research and Development Grant in which the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council matched the funding provided by Shell for the project.

Boyce said grants like these are a “win-win” for companies like Shell because if it turns out an area needs to be protected, Shell may find public relations success because of its role in funding research protecting elk. But if the area doesn’t need to be protected, Shell may be able to get restrictions on their operations lifted.

Although elk management has helped restore the population, anyone can help through their behaviour, Boyce said. Frequent drivers, hikers, berry pickers, hunters, and campers risk making an area unusable by elk.

In the end, Boyce said responsible hunting is not a threat to the species.

“We’ve gotten really good at (managed hunting)” Boyce said. “Sweden claims nearly 100,000 moose a year without endangering the population.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/female-elk-badass/feed/034255Indigenous languages program receives provincial granthttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/indigenous-languages-program-receives-provincial-grant/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/indigenous-languages-program-receives-provincial-grant/#respondWed, 26 Jul 2017 00:02:01 +0000https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34314A University of Alberta institute for preserving indigenous languages in Canada has received a $665,000 grant from the Government of Alberta to expand its services. The Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI) is an annual summer school where First Nations language educators train to teach and preserve indigenous languages, working with kindergarten to Grade 12 students. […]

A University of Alberta institute for preserving indigenous languages in Canada has received a $665,000 grant from the Government of Alberta to expand its services.

The Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute (CILLDI) is an annual summer school where First Nations language educators train to teach and preserve indigenous languages, working with kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Operating since 2000, it is a tri-faculty initiative involving the Faculty of Native Studies, Arts, and Education. CILLDI students work directly with communities while earning credits towards their program.

The new grant was announced in a press conference Tuesday morning, with Minister of Education David Eggen in attendance, as well as the U of A provost, Steven Dew. The money will go to CILLDI over three years.

Details like the number of additional language instructors the grant will fund were not elaborated upon, but Eggen said the new funding represents an expansion of the program.

“We recognize it’s a longstanding program that’s very popular, but we want more fluent speakers in classrooms, and we want to make sure that is flexible,” Eggen said. “It’s a good investment dollar in, dollar out. But more importantly, it’s an investment in culture.”

Eggen also said expanding the program would lead to something similar to French immersion, but it would take a long-term commitment. The news was met with praise from Lubicon Lake Band Chief Billy Joe Laboucan,

“This announcement is a really major step in being able to address the wrongs of education, and also honors our languages but also truth and reconciliation,” Laboucan said.

“These languages are sacred to the elders and speakers, and rejuvenation of them is essential in the rebuilding of the relationship between all nations in the province,” Blair said. “These bursaries will go a very long way in assisting current instructors to gain new expertise and to prepare new instructors.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/indigenous-languages-program-receives-provincial-grant/feed/034314Another gender-neutral washroom is being proposed for SUBhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/gender-neutral-washroom-sub/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/gender-neutral-washroom-sub/#commentsTue, 25 Jul 2017 22:09:04 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34234A gender-neutral washroom will be added to the second floor of the Students’ Union Building as part of the proposed renovations to the Myer Horowitz Theatre. According to the proposed design blueprints, the washroom will be added between the existing gendered washrooms on the second floor. This will join the other gender-neutral washroom in the […]

A gender-neutral washroom will be added to the second floor of the Students’ Union Building as part of the proposed renovations to the Myer Horowitz Theatre.

According to the proposed design blueprints, the washroom will be added between the existing gendered washrooms on the second floor. This will join the other gender-neutral washroom in the Student’s Union Building basement, which was added in 2014.

The Myer Horowitz executive committee voted unanimously on this change early in the design process for the renovations which began last summer, according to Robyn Paches, Students’ Union vice-president (operations and finance).

“We have a design committee that’s comprised of Students’ Union student representation as well as our architect,” Paches said. “Everyone accepted that having a gender-neutral washroom was a great way to include everybody that comes to the events.”

Nicole Jones, a U of A science councillor, asked Paches during the May 30 Students’ Council meeting whether gender-neutral washrooms would be included in the proposed theatre renovations, and said she was pleased to hear about the committee’s decision.

“I wanted to open the conversation,” Jones said. “They want to make the Horowitz more about the students and for the community… It makes sense that we have something that’s supposed to be there for the community that’s accessible for all people – including people that need gender-neutral washrooms.”

Paches and Jones agree that this change is important to help students feel safe and welcome when attending events at the theatre.

“I definitely know that trans community members come here and they deserve to feel safe,” Jones said.

Paches said there are currently no plans to implement other gender-neutral washrooms in the Students’ Union Building, but they have “heard from individuals within the community that they’re happy with the changes being made.”

There is no current date for when the Myer Horowitz’s renovations are expected to be completed, as designs are still being finalized and Students’ Council needs to vote on the proposal.

“It sucks right now because we don’t have a gender-neutral washroom on the second floor,” Jones said. “It’s a big floor with many events … Not everyone comes here from the university. If they go to the Horowitz and look for a gender-neutral washroom, they won’t know that you’d have to go the basement to find the one gender-neutral washroom. I think this definitely fills a gap.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/spiderman-homecoming-review/feed/034244Evergreen: U of A students breaking the cycle of shit campus bandshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/evergreen-breaking-the-cycle/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/evergreen-breaking-the-cycle/#commentsThu, 13 Jul 2017 01:59:40 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34227Evergreen with Maverick Cinema, X62, and Abandon Your Town Friday, July 14 (Doors at 8:00 PM) The Mercury Room (10575 114 St NW) Tickets: Purchasable online; $12 at the door Evergreen is the university band we’ve always subconsciously hoped for. If you throw a rock in SUB, chances are you’ll hit someone who’s currently in […]

Evergreen is the university band we’ve always subconsciously hoped for.

If you throw a rock in SUB, chances are you’ll hit someone who’s currently in or has been in a shitty university band. You might even be unlucky enough to hit a self-proclaimed “songwriter” who will undoubtedly try to write a bland lyric about this rock incident. But you need to stop throwing rocks indoors, you maniac, and instead listen to Evergreen’s recently released EP to hear the antithesis of a mediocre campus band.

Evergreen is a four-piece ensemble made up of U of A students Bryson Hucalak (rhythm guitar, vocals), Victoria King (lead guitar, keyboard, vocals), Pete Macfarlane (bass guitar), and David Shoults (drums, vocals), who first came together for an Engineering Battle of The Bands. Through what we can only assume was a simultaneous epiphany, the four talented musicians later converged into the band we know today.

Evergreen’s dynamic range means you won’t find monotonous indie clichés here. Every track they play is polished, intricate, and catchy as hell. Their frequent use of triple vocal harmonies and mesmerizing bass notes perfectly coincides with striking and upbeat guitar and keys to make every track as fresh as mountainous conifer trees. To top it all off, the band’s lyrics are both playful and passionate without sounding remotely cheesy or predictable, which is surprisingly hard to find in indie music.

So what better way to spend your Friday night than by catching their set? We both know you’re not busy. Stop lying to me and go to The Mercury room on July 14th to see Evergreen, as well as Maverick Cinema, X62, and Abandon Your Town. Come hang out, catch some good tunes, support local bands, and maybe ask Evergreen’s bassist, Pete, about the monstrous $20 sandwich he recently made.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/evergreen-breaking-the-cycle/feed/134227Barbra Lica’s Bubbly Take on Lifehttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/barbra-licas-bubbly-take-on-life/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/barbra-licas-bubbly-take-on-life/#respondWed, 12 Jul 2017 18:46:15 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34172Growing up the daughter of musicians, jazz singer Barbra Lica was constantly surrounded by music. She spent her childhood in the company of a multitude of records and took piano lessons for years. Despite this musical upbringing, it wasn’t until the moment she heard Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “They Can’t Take That Away From […]

Growing up the daughter of musicians, jazz singer Barbra Lica was constantly surrounded by music. She spent her childhood in the company of a multitude of records and took piano lessons for years. Despite this musical upbringing, it wasn’t until the moment she heard Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” that she fell in love with jazz.

“I just fell backwards,” she says of the moment she first heard the song. “It was one of those things — they sounded so happy. I wanted to be in the room with them.”

As a musician, Lica strives to share a similar feeling with her audience. She attempts to create a positive, laughter-filled experience while creating connections between herself and her listeners. “I just want to hang out (and) relate to people,” Lica says.

Lica’s music is easy to relate to. Her lyrics are straightforward and chart many universal human experiences. In “The Food Song,” she sings about eating her feelings and how sadness tastes like French fries. Despite these morose lyrics, the song is bubbly and upbeat. While Lica’s voice is comparable to Norah Jones, it’s a long way from Jones’ moody blues. It’s a unique blend of quirkiness (“Fishies”), bubbly pop, and modern jazz. Like most jazz musicians, Lica incorporates various genres of music, including folk, bluegrass, and 50s jazz-pop.

“I like to take elements from those (genres) and mix them in because I think that’s the beauty of jazz,” she says.

When it comes to the process of songwriting, Lica finds her best ideas come out of just sitting down and having a conversation. It can be especially helpful when she’s lacking inspiration, and so she sits down with a guitarist and talks things out.

“I find that’s kind of a magical process,” she says. “On my own, I haven’t found the same inspiration twice. But sitting down with a guitarist and having a conversation is almost 100 per cent effective.”

This conversational element is easily heard in her songs, which could easily be a phone call to an old lover or a funny conversation with a friend.

It’s her unique brand of jazz that got her album I’m Still Learning nominated for the Vocal Jazz Album of the Year Juno for 2017. It was the first time she had been nominated for the award.

“It was so crazy. I didn’t expect it. It was really cool,” Lica says.

The experience was also a great way to meet other jazz musicians, including Bria Skonberg, who won the category. The duo’s friendship culminated in their playing together at Birdland, a New York City venue known for hosting performances by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Skonberg, who plays trumpet, joined Lica in a duet mirroring the iconic duo.

“It was a geeky cool thing for me,” Lica says. “I’d always wanted to play at Birdland, and then I had someone come and be Louis, so it was really neat for me.”

Currently, Lica is touring across the country and experimenting with Paul Simon inspired tracks and country jazz. She also recently wowed audiences during her stop at Edmonton’s Jazz Festival on Canada Day.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/barbra-licas-bubbly-take-on-life/feed/034172Residence Life Task Force doesn’t go far enoughhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/reslife-task-force-doesnt-go-far/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/reslife-task-force-doesnt-go-far/#respondTue, 11 Jul 2017 18:23:12 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33974Kyle Monda is both a past employee of Residence Services as an RA, and a student who has lived in residence for several years. A single survey with a dismal 9 per cent response rate is not enough for a task force given a year to study the residence experience at the U of A. […]

Kyle Monda is both a past employee of Residence Services as an RA, and a student who has lived in residence for several years.

A single survey with a dismal 9 per cent response rate is not enough for a task force given a year to study the residence experience at the U of A.

The Residence Life Task Force was formed by the Provost in April of 2016, in response to “both positive and negative” feedback from students over the way the University of Alberta administrates residences. Its mandate was to “conduct a comprehensive examination, in close collaboration with our student leaders, of the residence experience at the U of A and develop a plan to optimize it moving forward.”

The final report, released in March, includes a semblance of a plan, but it is far from a comprehensive overview of the residence life experience. The only research conducted by the group was the “Residence Experience Survey,” an online survey sent to anyone who has lived or worked in residence for the past five years. The response rate was low at 9 per cent, with 1,621 individual responses. That is approximately the residence capacity of Lister Centre, or two HUBs.

The task force did not conduct any interviews or allow individuals to send in written submissions outside of the short-form survey questions. This limited responses students and employees could submit to those prompted by the survey, rather than specific issues that they cared the most about. The online survey should have been a starting point for understanding the residence life experience, not the only research undertaken. No existing data sources, such as the annual Residence Satisfaction Survey, which is sent to all residents every March, were used. The task force could have easily conducted a more thorough inquiry, especially of residence employees, by holding investigative meetings or interviews.

The limited findings of the task force are a start, but do not address many of the most controversial residence issues that have erupted since 2014. The conflict over the suspension of the Lister Hall Students Association, which arguably marked the start of the most recent era of student unrest in residence, is not even mentioned. The rapidly rising cost of rent and the meal plan were also left unaddressed. Residence student staff unionized over the past year, but this major change was also ignored by the task force. At times, the recommendations of the task force failed to address the issues identified in the findings. Despite over 50 per cent of employees responding that consultation on changes in residence require improvement, no front-line employees were given a seat on the Residence Oversight Committee proposed to implement the recommendations of the task force.

All of the recommendations, if completed, will bring welcome and long overdue changes to residence, especially relating to maintenance and internet services. However, the task force missed a major opportunity to engage students, to truly understand what makes residence life at the U of A great, and to honestly discuss what needs to be improved. The final report indicates a minimal effort was made to learn the problems facing the residence system as whole, or the unique challenges presented in each residence community.

A truly ambitious task force would have taken the time to understand the perspectives of students, student representatives, and employees. Difficult questions surrounding complex issues like rent should have been answered instead of ignored. University administration and student representatives could have done much better than the shallow report delivered.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/reslife-task-force-doesnt-go-far/feed/033974U of A to receive more mental health funding this yearhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/u-of-a-mental-health-funding/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/u-of-a-mental-health-funding/#commentsSun, 09 Jul 2017 16:35:06 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34213The Government of Alberta has committed $25.8 million towards mental health programs in the province’s post-secondary institutions. The money will be spent over a three-year period, with $8.9 million to be allocated later this year. In the past, institutions only received funding on a per-year basis. Last year, the province granted $3.6 million for mental […]

The Government of Alberta has committed $25.8 million towards mental health programs in the province’s post-secondary institutions.

The money will be spent over a three-year period, with $8.9 million to be allocated later this year. In the past, institutions only received funding on a per-year basis.

Last year, the province granted $3.6 million for mental health programming to five post-secondary institutions, with the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge receiving $1 million, $900,000, and $600,000 respectively. According to Student’s Union vice-president (external) Reed Larsen, these grants were renewed annually, so the new three-year agreement provides a sense of stability.

“There was no long-term planning to (the old system) and there was no accountability for it,” he said.

While the government has yet to announce how much money will go toward the U of A, it has committed to a per-student system of distribution, meaning the amount of money each institution receives will depend on the number of students enrolled. Compared to other schools in Alberta, the U of A is the largest post-secondary institution with around 37,800 students, followed by U of C with 30,500 and U of L with 8,600. Students’ Union vice-president (student life) Ilya Ushakov called the new arrangement “more balanced.”

Talking about the success of the agreement, Larsen said he gives “100 per cent” of the credit to the work done by the Council of Alberta University Students, which he chairs. Larsen said that per-student provincial mental health funding and increased long-term funding have been areas of focus for CAUS advocacy in the last three years.

“There will be steps going forward, more internal allocations and stuff like that, but overall I find it to be an incredible win for student advocacy,” Larsen said.

According to Larsen, CAUS had asked the government for about $140 per student, though it’s unclear what will be received per student until more details are released in the fall.

As for how the money will be spent, Ushakov said it will be determined once it’s known how much the U of A will receive.

“Some of it will go back into services, but if we have extra funding, we will enhance and grow services and make them more accessible,” he said.

In addition to the funding commitment, the Government of Alberta has a seven step plan to promote positive mental health in post-secondary institutions. These steps include:

Larsen said that a review on student aid policies is one of the biggest steps going forward since students risk not receiving their student loans if they choose to take time away from academic work, which can be a hard choice when they have a mental health concern. Such a review could mean that students will continue to have financial support should they need to take time off.

“It’s a huge win for us but the fight is not over,” Ushakov said. “We have to keep making sure and enhancing our services after the three years.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/u-of-a-mental-health-funding/feed/134213The Watch-Men Episode 86: Game of Thrones Season 7 Previewhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/watch-men-episode-86-game-thrones-season-7-preview/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/watch-men-episode-86-game-thrones-season-7-preview/#respondFri, 07 Jul 2017 23:17:11 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34208Before Game of Thrones returns for its seventh (and penultimate) season this weekend, let The Watch-men to catch you up on all things Westeros. From the resurrection of Jon Snow to the Battle of the Bastards, Matt and Sam look back at all the key moments of season 6 in anticipation of what’s to come […]

Before Game of Thrones returns for its seventh (and penultimate) season this weekend, let The Watch-men to catch you up on all things Westeros. From the resurrection of Jon Snow to the Battle of the Bastards, Matt and Sam look back at all the key moments of season 6 in anticipation of what’s to come in season 7.

Where can you turn when life throws a wrench into your plans? Who will lend an ear, reserve all judgement, and simply listen when you’re in need of answers to life’s toughest questions? Your mom, dad, or dearest childhood friend? No. You ask Jonah (with the neck tattoos). Have questions? Send them to opinion@gateway.ualberta.ca.

What’s better: getting paid in cash, or direct deposit?

Let’s be real. Most of us are irresponsible with money. We spend a lot on coffee drinks, yoga clothes, and avocados. Personally, I spend my cash like a kid in grade four who just got their allowance. Every time I pull a $20 out of my wallet to pay for coffee, I think, sweet, I can buy a bag of Skittles with the change. I prefer direct deposits as they force me to sit down and access my account online to see if I got paid. Then I read my credit card, student line of credit, and savings account balances. And as if magic occurs, I remember to pay my bills down and try to save for future tuition fees.

What should I invest my Tax Free Savings in?

I once had a guy tell me he invested in hard currencies. For him that meant he bought physical things like guns and gold so that he had something to trade if there ever was an apocalypse. He was also the kind of guy that probably had money in a tobacco can buried in the backyard. Tobacco cans, however, don’t pay interest. So if you’ve got a little somethin’ somethin’ stashed away in a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), you can pretty much hold any investment that you could hold in a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). I’ve always liked the “G” in GIC. A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) means you won’t lose your original investment. I had four figures in savings when the 2008 Global Financial Crisis fucked everything up. Thankfully my four figures were invested in various GICs. I used my unscathed savings for a down payment on a house in 2009.

Should I rent or buy?

I once had a different guy tell me to buy land because they make new cars everyday but they can’t make new land. I think what he meant was late stage capitalism and housing market inflation may make it so not everyone can afford a place to call their own, and some of us might actually have to resort to living in a van down by the river. But if you were disciplined, have saved the money, and have already been to Coachella a few times (like I have), then buy a house. If not, stick to renting and waiting for next Saturday night when you’ll Uber from the suburbs to the Cactus Club and make filtered Instagram posts about your overpriced night out.

Fixed or variable rate mortgage?

I just had to think about this stuff all over again when I renewed my own mortgage back in May. With fixed rates the interest stays the same for the term of the mortgage, and variable rates fluctuate with the banking institution’s mortgage prime rates. I save gambling for the casino and stick to fixed interest rates. There are plenty of ways to structure your mortgage; however, I prefer a safe bet. I like to know exactly what my costs will be and I don’t like surprises when it comes to debt as large as a mortgage.

Being an adult costs a lot of money. But it’s good to have your own space where you call the shots and can listen to Motörhead at full volume while thrashing around your kitchen.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/ask-jonah-cash-register-noises/feed/034190There ain’t no festival like an improv festivalhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/aint-no-festival-like-improv-fest/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/aint-no-festival-like-improv-fest/#respondTue, 04 Jul 2017 19:06:37 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34097What: Improvaganza Where: Edmonton Citadel Theatre When: June 14-24, 2017 The theatre was packed with avid fans of improv and comedy as Improvaganza kicked off its 17th celebration of international improv and comedy skill. The festival featured 18 groups from across Canada, the United States, and around the world. Each day showcased a few groups […]

The theatre was packed with avid fans of improv and comedy as Improvaganza kicked off its 17th celebration of international improv and comedy skill. The festival featured 18 groups from across Canada, the United States, and around the world.

Each day showcased a few groups of actors or a single ensemble, which allowed for a display of various approaches to improv and comedy from the adorable Puppy Prov group, which featured dogs from a local shelter, to Folk Lords, a group that did homages to traditional indigenous origin stories and short skits derived from Chekhov plays. Sprinkled between the acts were classes that attendees could sign up for on improv skills, comedy, acting, and other related skills.

Billy Wong

The opening night featured a healthy sample of the groups scheduled over the festival and introduced us to the two hosts for the festival, two very energetic and fun individuals who kept me entertained the entire evening. One of the first acts they introduced the crowd to was Your Moms, a group of three women who asked for an action from the crowd and transformed it into an extended comedic scene about three mothers. Tropes about the actors’ moms brought humour to the set, and while it may seem mundane, I was brought to tears when the twist was ultimately revealed.

Another three-man act, Broke Gravy, would invite the audience to ask a deeply personal question, or a “fifth date question,” to which they would initially respond by walking off the stage as if the question were deeply off-putting. When asked about how their first relationship ended, and their reactions were so smooth I actually believed they were done with the skit.

Billy Wong

The headliner for the second evening was “The Irrelevant Show” from CBC Radio, whose actors performed a medley of the show’s best hits — the most memorable of which was based on an advertisement for “Lil Shouty,” a fictional pillow designed to absorb the anger and hatred of its users. What made this scene particularly adorable and amusing was that the Lil Shouty sounded almost childlike, and I felt a lot of pity for this poor shouting pillow. When the announcer revealed that Lil Shouty doubles as a punching bag and I heard the dismay in Li’l Shouty’s voice, I was torn between laughing and just wanting to give Lil Shouty a hug. This skit is definitely one worth looking up on the internet, because this description can’t possibly do it justice.

Wonderful actors and more made Improvaganza a huge success once again. I can only wait with excitement to see what wonderful talents come next year. However, if you’re an improv enthusiast — or even if you’re not sure how you feel about improv — I would highly recommend going to Rapid Fire Theatre, which holds regular shows starting September.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/aint-no-festival-like-improv-fest/feed/034097Film Review: The Lovershttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/film-review-the-lovers/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/film-review-the-lovers/#commentsTue, 04 Jul 2017 18:17:37 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34072The Lovers Directed by Azazel Jacobs Starring Debra Winger, Tracy Letts, Aidan Gillen, and Melora Walters And they were happy forever … but not in the real life, right? The Lovers tells the story of an elderly married couple who have both had adulterous affairs outside their relationship. They’re just waiting for their son to […]

And they were happy forever … but not in the real life, right? The Lovers tells the story of an elderly married couple who have both had adulterous affairs outside their relationship. They’re just waiting for their son to come home again so they can tell him that they are finally separating. But suddenly, their relationship suddenly reignites — and everything changes.

Debra Winger and Tracy Letts play a duo that lived together for many years but don’t seem to know each other anymore. Watching the two of them in the same room is like watching a sex scene with your parents. Despite the qualities that suggest they’re total strangers, the movie reveals the duo are exactly the same: both engaged in secret affairs, experiencing problems at work, and disenchanted with life. Even the people they’re cheating on each other with are part of the same sphere: Winger’s character is entangled with an apparently unsuccessful poet and Letts’ with a lonely ballet teacher.

One of the best things about the movie is that you can’t guess the ending until you see it. And, though a glance at the film’s synopsis might suggest viewers are in for a heavy story, the film’s delivery is funny, fresh, and contemporary. Along with the composition of the characters, the clean photography and music work to turn a delicate theme into a renewing narrative.

The switch from almost-separated-couple to impetuous lovers might be seen as too unrealistic, but it’s not as far-fetched as it seems. Although this couple may have born in the 1950s, this story could be easily lived by people of any generation in long-term relationships.

Interestingly, the film resonates with the spirit of moment-to-moment dating trends: when we live in such a fast-paced world, where anyone with an internet connection can find a date by swiping right, it’s easy to replace “the one” by another, newer “the one.” The Lovers suggests that we may just need a third perspective to show us that what we have is worthwhile. But this contentment lasts only until the next moment of doubt — which for the titular lovers presents itself at the movie’s climax.

Every relationship has its ups and downs. Some people say it just takes time to manage; others say it takes other people— there’s no formula. But whether you watch the movie and try to make your own deep conclusions about love and loss or just want to laugh with some silly moments and great interpretations, The Lovers is a film you’ll love every moment of.

Bubbly and eccentric with spatterings of sound effects, Tennyson’s atmospheric cacophonies have gained attention worldwide. Rooted in jazz but having wandered into the realm of self-described electronic “pineapple pop,” the Edmonton band’s blend of sounds are truly unique.

Luke Pretty, 21, began creating Tennyson music at 12 and has been at it ever since. Now, he and his 19-year-old sister Tess, have played around Europe, the United States, Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia — not to mention shows in Canada and their hometown of Edmonton.

Catie Laffoon

Luke and Tess have been playing music as long as they can remember. Their father, a drummer, encouraged them to pursue the art as kids, playing jazz, blues, and classics like the Beatles, and busking around town. For Luke, making music came naturally.

“Before I grew up and had this awareness of myself,” he says, “I had these skills.”

Tess joined Tennyson in her mid-teens. With Luke on production and keyboard and Tess on drums, the band’s music harkens to the work of Mount Kimbie and 123Mrk.

After the duo began posting their music on Soundcloud over four years ago, they gained such a following that Ryan Hemsworth, a Toronto-based electronic musician and producer, found their music and shared it with his manager, who ended up picking the duo up. According to Luke and Tess, the internet is really what’s been responsible for their success.

“I have had these waking nightmares that my Soundcloud would get shut down … we could maybe kinda recover from it, but it would never be quite the same. It’s such an important (part of our) fan base,” Luke says.

Drew Gurian

Recently, Tennyson has been involved in creating music with Red Bull Sound Select, a project that showcases and connects artists in the music industry. After being flown down to their studio in L.A., Luke teamed up with hip-hop/electronic artist Mr. Carmack to create three songs in three days, producing a trio of songs — one of which featured Grammy-award winning BJ the Chicago Kid.

“We’re proud to be Edmontonians. I just want to make sure people know,” Tess says. “You gain a certain appreciation — I think at some point most people hate where they grew up. But we spent half a year not here and now (that) we’re back I’m like, ‘Wow, I really love this place.’ Also it’s nice, after playing a show, to go back to your own house.”

Carlo Cruz

You can find their music on SoundCloud below, and for more info on where you might be able to catch a Tennyson performance next, check out their Facebook.

It’s an explosive episode this week as Matt and Sam discuss the mayhem surrounding the upcoming “Young Han Solo” Star Wars movie as well as review Michael Bay’s latest montage of robot “Bayhem” in Transformers: The Last Knight.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/07/watch-men-episode-85-transformers-last-knight/feed/034167Work (it) out at The Works this summerhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/work-it-out-at-the-works/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/work-it-out-at-the-works/#respondWed, 28 Jun 2017 00:59:41 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33948What: The Works Art & Design Festival Where: Various When: June 22 – July, 4, 2017 Admission: Free Festival schedule available here. Got a hankering for some new local artwork but don’t want to stand around inhaling the recycled air inside a museum? Consider putting on your best walking shoes and heading outdoors to The Works. Already […]

Got a hankering for some new local artwork but don’t want to stand around inhaling the recycled air inside a museum? Consider putting on your best walking shoes and heading outdoors to The Works.

Already an annual staple of festival season for more than 30 years, the Works Art & Design Festival will kick off later this month. Every year the festival covers Edmonton’s downtown with exhibits, performances, and workshops for nearly two weeks — all for free.

Marina Hulzenga

The Vignettes Building, LIMINAL SPACE || AWASITIPAHASKAN

Every year the festival has a theme, and this year it’s Dialogue: the art of collaborative thought; interplaying, interacting, and interconnecting to develop new ideas.

“Dialogue is really about an exchange. We think about dialogue as being a lot of talking, but it’s also a lot of listening — and, ideally, that listening is open, is authentic, and involves a changing of understanding. And art, of course, does this,” says Amber Rooke, The Works’ executive artistic director.

Beyond its significance to the art world, the theme is also a nod to the current global political climate and the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation. “(We’re living in) a time when we really need to be talking and listening to each other to understand what kind of space we want to share and what we want the future to be,” Rooke says.

This year, the festival will have 50 exhibits at 40 venues throughout Edmonton’s downtown and around the city; daily live performances on The Works Street Stage; and over 300 special events including tours, receptions, and demonstrations.

While The Works is well-known for its visual art displays, there are ample musical performances as well. There’s a focus on diversity: on Canada Day, for instance, every band performing on stage will be fronted by women. But according to Ben Sures, the festival’s Stage Coordinator, this is almost coincidental.

“Although I did purposely make (the Canada Day schedule) all (female-fronted groups), that’s almost incidental,” Sures says. “It’s just a showcase of terrific acts, one after the other, and they happened to be women. It is by choice, but when you go to the show you’re not going, ‘Oh, these women bands are cool,’ you’re just going, ‘This is a great day of music.'”

While the public will have access to plenty of opportunities to connect with the arts and the music, the part of the equation artists and performers are most excited for is the chance to showcase their work to audiences young and old. “The Works is an awesome opportunity to get to perform in a really cool multidisciplinary all-ages space,” says Olivia Street, lead of Edmonton rock band King of Foxes.

One thing’s for sure: whether you choose to trek around downtown or treat yourself to an auditory feast, there’ll never be a dull moment at The Works.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/work-it-out-at-the-works/feed/033948Ruth B. lights up the Starlite Roomhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ruth-b-lights-up-starlite-room/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ruth-b-lights-up-starlite-room/#respondWed, 28 Jun 2017 00:30:00 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34078It’s rare that such a huge voice finds an international stage so young, and it’s even rarer that it hails from Edmonton. Last Friday, while kicking off her first-ever hometown concert at the Starlite Room, 21-year-old Ruth B. addressed her audience: “Usually at the beginning of my shows, I say, ‘Hi, I’m Ruth B., and […]

It’s rare that such a huge voice finds an international stage so young, and it’s even rarer that it hails from Edmonton. Last Friday, while kicking off her first-ever hometown concert at the Starlite Room, 21-year-old Ruth B. addressed her audience: “Usually at the beginning of my shows, I say, ‘Hi, I’m Ruth B., and I’m a singer from Edmonton, Alberta. But today, I get to say, ‘Hi, I’m Ruth B., and I’m from right here.'”

If that doesn’t make you feel warm and cozy at a concert, I don’t know what will.

THE VENUE: The Starlite Room isn’t really the setting you’d imagine for someone like Ruth B. Its red walls, barlike atmosphere, and standing-room-only backwards-slanting floor, which makes tall people taller and short people shorter, makes it more of a rock band spot than the place you’d imagine you’d be swaying to Ruth’s powerful ballads. To the dismay of many attendees waiting in line, there’s also a venue membership fee charged to patrons before they’re granted entry that isn’t mentioned on the show tickets. The lines were long and the line to retrieve drinks from the bar was longer, but all in all, it’s a spot for a concert: the space just has to deliver on the sound.

THE OPENER: Was a no-show for unexplained reasons. Ah, well. I had a lot of fun talking to different people in the crowd during the two-hour wait leading up to the headliner. Always a good time in the mosh pit.

But let’s get to the (main) show.

THE HEADLINER: Ruth B. is nice to listen to and nice to see live because she’s super real. No pretenses, no B.S., no weird attitude from fame — at the end of the day, she’s an Edmonton girl with an amazing voice and real appreciation for her roots. During the show, there were tons of call-outs to her family, her friends, and the city that influenced her recently-released debut album. Judging from the conversation buzzing around me, there were plenty of supporters who knew Ruth personally mixed into the crowd clustered around the speakers at the foot of the stage, and it was heartening to see that so many of her friends were willing to brave the mosh pit to show their love.

Maybe it’s because of the smaller venue or the fact that everything about the concert — from Ruth’s stage banter (“Okay, so for my next couple songs, they’re kind of sad, but…yeah”) to how relaxed she was playing at her keyboard — was so comfortably casual, but there was a sense of community at the show I haven’t felt to the same degree before. There was plenty of screaming and photo-snapping, as per usual, but there were also a lot of quiet, pleasant moments when the audience seemed to collectively take a breather and let the headliner wash over all the preteens and twenty-somethings and moms and dads who came out to listen. A lot of the time, the event felt much more like a private concert: watching a girl who likes to sing, and who can sing very well, do just that, running through a slew of songs off her album and throwing in Ed Sheeran and Khalid covers because, well, why not?

Highly recommend you catch her next show in town — and maybe by then, the venue won’t have that weird backwards-slanting floor thing going on.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ruth-b-lights-up-starlite-room/feed/034078New report makes recommendations about residencehttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/report-recommend-residence/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/report-recommend-residence/#respondMon, 26 Jun 2017 18:30:33 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34061Students in residence face significant problems with services, amenities, maintenance, and their relationships with residence staff, according to a recent report from a task force. The Residence Life Task Force, formed in April 2016, was tasked with investigating residence life at the University of Alberta and recommending improvements. The report’s top five recommendations included: A residence […]

Students in residence face significant problems with services, amenities, maintenance, and their relationships with residence staff, according to a recent report from a task force.

The Residence Life Task Force, formed in April 2016, was tasked with investigating residence life at the University of Alberta and recommending improvements.

The report’s top five recommendations included:

A residence oversight committee should be formed to review residence life two or three times a year.

University administration and student representatives should collectively develop a more positive culture in U of A residences.

University administration and residence staff should vastly improve how clearly and consistently they communicate expectations, operations, community issues, and maintenance requests.

The university’s information services and technology unit should fix problems with internet in residences.

A new roommate-matching questionnaire should be developed.

The task force was composed of representatives from the university administration, Students’ Union, and Graduate Students’ Association, including 2016-17 Students’ Union president Fahim Rahman and vice-president (student life) Francesca Ghossein.

Ilya Ushakov, the current Students’ Union vice-president (student life) and Matt Simpson, president of the newly reinstated Lister Hall Students’ Association (LHSA), both praised the report’s thoroughness and recommendations.

“The team that made up the Residence Life Task Force (was) a group of very experienced, intelligent people,” Simpson said. “I trust very much that that group of people responded appropriately to the evidence presented to them.”

The report stresses the need for better communication between students and staff concerning operational changes, the status of maintenance requests, and discipline and dispute resolution. Ushakov emphasized the need for university staff to actually consult with students on residence issues and not just inform them of changes, such as explaining issues to students, planning to get student input during times that don’t conflict with exams, and laying out a clear strategy for engaging students.

Problems with maintenance were also highlighted in the report, with only 36 per cent of current residents reporting satisfaction with how maintenance complaints are addressed. In response, Ushakov said there needs to be continuing advocacy regarding the university-wide problem of deferred maintenance.

Approximately 1,600 current and former students responded to the task force’s mass email surveys, making up about nine per cent of potential respondents. While Ushakov was enthusiastic about the volume of responses, Simpson was quick to note the low turnout and suggested residence associations work with administration to make sure more residents respond to surveys like these.

“It’s a fairly small sample size to take into consideration these statistics and feel as though they apply to the entire group,” Simpson said.

The development of the residence oversight committee, which will implement the task force’s recommendations, is well underway according to Ushakov. While the vice-president (student life) plans to consult with the Council of Residence Associations and other student stakeholders in his role as one of its members, Simpson said he would like to see seats on the committee for the LHSA and other residence associations.

“I do believe there’s a spot for all residence associations in that committee,” Simpson said. “(The opinions of) residence associations, in accordance with the students… have to be heard when it comes to improvements.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/report-recommend-residence/feed/034061The Watch-Men Episode 84: American Gods (season one)https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-84-american-gods-season-one/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-84-american-gods-season-one/#respondSun, 25 Jun 2017 18:56:49 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=34065After checking out the pilot a couple weeks back, The Watch-men return to American Gods for a review of the entire first season. How do the other episodes stack up to the promising first one? Click above to see what Sam, Matt, and Joyce have to say about American Gods season one! Itunes https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-watch-men/id1049970465?mt=2 […]

After checking out the pilot a couple weeks back, The Watch-men return to American Gods for a review of the entire first season. How do the other episodes stack up to the promising first one? Click above to see what Sam, Matt, and Joyce have to say about American Gods season one!

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-84-american-gods-season-one/feed/034065Face to Face: Robotaki and Manila Killahttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/face-face-robotaki-manila-killa/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/face-face-robotaki-manila-killa/#respondWed, 21 Jun 2017 22:05:53 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33960When you listen to a song by Robotaki or Manila Killa, the only thing you might hear is a groovy dance beat. What you don’t hear is the time and effort they took creating the song and the struggles they’ve overcome to deliver it to your ears. After meeting online years ago, the future bass […]

When you listen to a song by Robotaki or Manila Killa, the only thing you might hear is a groovy dance beat. What you don’t hear is the time and effort they took creating the song and the struggles they’ve overcome to deliver it to your ears.

After meeting online years ago, the future bass artists finally met face-to-face on their joint tour and took the stage at The Chvrch of John here in Edmonton. Other stops on the tour included multiple shows in LA, which the duo managed to sell out; it’s a testament to their growing success in the dance music scene. Manila Killa (Chris Gavino) has played at Coachella as part of his other act, Hotel Garuda, and recently reached 100,000 followers on SoundCloud. Meanwhile, Robotaki (Preston Chin) was recently featured as Apple Music’s favourite new artist of the week and opened for electronic music stars Porter Robinson and Madeon on their massive Shelter tour.

In a sea of never-ending EDM artists, Chin and Gavino have managed to achieve their own signature sound while maintaining a mainstream appeal. Their respective releases, “Monkey Bars” and “I’m Okay” are prime examples.

“I used to kind of shun anything that was pop-structured, but I realized I was coming from the wrong place,” Chin says. “There’s something there, but you just gotta make it your own.”

CYK Media

“(My music) combines all my influences into one thing. Things that you wouldn’t necessarily think would mix well together,” Gavino says. “Like I love Bon Iver, which is totally chill and acoustic, but I also like (Porter Robinson), which is very high-energy.”

The pair’s recent success has been the result of countless, tedious hours in the studio over the last decade.

“People think it’s a crazy creative process, but it’s like me picking a snare for 30 minutes. I don’t know theory or anything, so I just butcher the notes and it’s just the wrong notes for 30 minutes,” Gavino says.

While music has been a strong passion throughout their lives, both Gavino and Chin originally followed more traditional career paths. Chin has a Master’s degree in anatomy and cell biology from McGill, while Gavino has a degree in business management from George Mason University. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges of their music career was gaining the support of their parents.

“You really have to dedicate a lot of time and energy to this thing that a lot of people won’t understand,” Gavino says. “I had a job offer in New York and I turned it down, so my parents were like, ‘What are you doing?’ Then I had a show come up in D.C., and I brought my mom out to see me play for the first time. After that night, she realized that this is something serious and something I can actually do.”

CYK Media

Chin had a similar experience trying to convince his parents that music was the right decision.

“The Shelter tour that happened in Toronto, I brought my mom — and after that, you can tell there was a level of understanding,” Chin says. “It’s so personally gratifying and it justifies everything.”

Perhaps the similar circumstances of both these artists is the reason behind their chemistry. While the two have only ever collaborated on stage in performances like the short back-to-back set they played during their Edmonton show, a collaboration in the studio seems almost inevitable.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/face-face-robotaki-manila-killa/feed/033960Maclean’s, renowned old people magazine, says U of A is bad at partyinghttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/macleans-uofa-bad-at-partying/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/macleans-uofa-bad-at-partying/#commentsMon, 19 Jun 2017 19:49:39 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33976Print media is dead, and the Canadian magazine Maclean’s is still grasping at millennial straws by releasing an unending amount of dodgy university rankings. Every year, Maclean’s releases a Guide to Canadian Universities issue, and related articles online. The increasingly right-wing focused magazine publishes mainly political and news articles, so what could go wrong when […]

Print media is dead, and the Canadian magazine Maclean’s is still grasping at millennial straws by releasing an unending amount of dodgy university rankings.

Every year, Maclean’s releases a Guide to Canadian Universities issue, and related articles online. The increasingly right-wing focused magazine publishes mainly political and news articles, so what could go wrong when the publish university related content? While some metrics in these articles are objective, like student/faculty ratios, others like how hard students work and “party hard”, are poorly conducted at best and laughably dumb at worst. For the results on the latter article, the University of Alberta was dead last on the Maclean’s list which included 20 schools.

The data was taken from questionnaires, where students were asked to list their average weekly times spent “partying hard” and studying, and then ranked on both of those metrics. A minimum of 100 responses were needed from schools to be counted in the poll. The results, though, shouldn’t just be taken with a grain of salt. They should be taken with the saltiness of the tears from one million PLLC Scholars.

So does U of A’s ranking mean anything worthwhile? We can start to answer that question by first asking what the hell partying hard means here. Sadly, the party animals over at Maclean’s didn’t specify in the poll. Does it mean Chad from Dalhousie got so hammered he woke up face down on the beach? Does it mean Cailtleyn from Carleton decided to take four Adderall in the library instead of two? Or is it that Amanda from the U of A drank too many Aprikats at RATT and ruined trivia for everyone? Who knows.

It’s almost as if this was a quickly put together, incomplete, and askew list with a mega-clickbait title used to get views for a publication that’s rapidly becoming irrelevant. And who knows, maybe it’s working. I’m sitting here writing this, aren’t I?

But the overlying trend here is that third-party university rankings are largely meaningless. Especially coming from a magazine like Maclean’s.

In the past, Maclean’s has been criticized for its aggregate ranking by none other than previous University of Alberta president, Indira Samarasekera, who said, “It’s time to question these third-party rankings that are actually marketing driven, designed to sell particular issues of a publication with repurposing of their content into even higher sales volume special editions with year-long shelf life.” Meaning that they’re there to make money, not necessarily to inform through painstaking research and analysis.

It should be easy to conclude no one should give a shit about Maclean’s University ranking articles. If you like partying, go partying. If you’d rather study, then study. The aforementioned article will never affect your life. And please, don’t be the boring asshole who brags about how some 112-year-old magazine ranked your school as “the top party school in Canada” all over social media. Because in the end, it’s all just some numbers and charts put together to sell a mediocre right-wing magazine.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-83-mummy/feed/034010Maclean’s: U of A students work too hard, don’t party enoughhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/u-of-a-students-work-too-hard/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/u-of-a-students-work-too-hard/#commentsFri, 16 Jun 2017 19:16:28 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33997With students spending a little over two hours per week partying, the U of A is now ranked last in time spent partying and studying of Canada’s top 20 universities. The new insights into students’ party habits come from a survey in Maclean’s. The survey also found that the U of A did slightly better when it […]

With students spending a little over two hours per week partying, the U of A is now ranked last in time spent partying and studying of Canada’s top 20 universities.

The new insights into students’ party habits come from a survey in Maclean’s. The survey also found that the U of A did slightly better when it came to studying, coming in 15th place for spending 17.2 hours per week hitting the books.

According to Ilya Ushakov, vice-president (student life) of the Students’ Union, and Matt Simpson, president of the newly reinstated Lister Hall Students’ Association, this isn’t necessarily a problem.

“I think our university does a really good job at prioritizing academics,” Ushakov said. “On the other side, I think social wellbeing is extremely important, but social well-being doesn’t necessarily mean partying.”

The Maclean’s article separately scores each school for time spent partying to time spent studying. St. Francis Xavier University and McGill came in first place for partying and studying, respectively. Overall, Queen’s University was strong in both categories, ranking second for studying and third for partying. The U of A took spot number 20, with 17.2 study hours to 2.4 party hours each week (if it’s any consolation, U of C didn’t even make the list.) But Simpson wasn’t phased.

“The fact that we’re lower on that list I don’t think is a bad thing,” Simpson said. “We’re here for school, we’re here to do well, we’re here to finish our degrees, so I think being low on that list might be something to be proud of to an extent.”

Ushakov emphasized the importance of having social options for students beyond residence ragers and weekend pub crawls.

“There’s a ton of opportunities for students here on campus to partake in a lot of social events,” he said. “We have over five hundred student groups that create that well-being for students as well.”

It’s no secret that Lister has a reputation as a hub for undergrad ruckus. However, Simpson said that a variety of lifestyles are practiced in Lister, and it’s not all about getting lit.

“Lister’s reputation as a large group of friends who party all the time … I think is kind of misrepresentative of a lot of the niches within Lister,” Simpson said. “Obviously when you have a group of 1,600 17 to 21-year-olds; you’re going to have some people that are loud and make themselves heard … But I don’t think that Lister necessarily facilitates that sort of society.”

While smaller, tight-knit campuses like Queen’s and Mount Alison may have a cohesive campus culture to match their high party ranking, Ushakov also noted that a constant party atmosphere is not necessarily needed to create an environment of school spirit. The vice-president (student life) cites Week of Welcome as a model for campus engagement, remarking on how students begin the school year smiling and motivated, but over the course of September retreat into themselves. For Ushakov, maintaining that initial excitement is critical for an authentic study-social balance.

“A lot of the time Week of Welcome is students’ first time to really discover themselves,” he said. “I think it’s really important to provide all those opportunities to students.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/u-of-a-students-work-too-hard/feed/233997Suds abound at Edmonton Craft Beer Festival last weekendhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/edmonton-craft-beer-festiva/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/edmonton-craft-beer-festiva/#respondSat, 10 Jun 2017 04:21:25 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33874What: Edmonton Craft Beer Festival Where: Edmonton EXPO Centre When: June 2-3, 2017 Beer enthusiasts young and old were brought together last weekend over some of the city’s finest brews at the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival. The 2017 edition of the annual festival was the largest in the city’s history. The two-day event brought together more than 70 breweries […]

Beer enthusiasts young and old were brought together last weekend over some of the city’s finest brews at the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival.

The 2017 edition of the annual festival was the largest in the city’s history. The two-day event brought together more than 70 breweries with around 400 different types of craft beers and distillates.

The core of the event involved — as you might have guessed — tasting different types of beer, but there was also a wide variety of food and a selection of seminars: brewmaster seminars informed attendees about the art and behind-the-scenes action of making craft beer and cooking with beer seminars showed how much more there is to creating meals with suds than merely cooking off the alcohol.

But you didn’t have to be a beer geek to have a great time at the festival. It was definitely awesome if you already had a taste for the brew, but even the most dedicated beer lover benefitted from the educational resources at the event, where one could learn more about the basic elements of great beer. At the festival, interested beer enthusiasts could increase their knowledge of what the pros consider — appearance, aroma, flavour, and mouthfeel — by examining the guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).

Cleissa Martins

But not every exhibitor at the festival was focused on beer experts — some were there to nurture the community in different ways. For two groups, Edmonton Beer Geeks Anonymous and Alberta Beer Girls, this meant helping integrate novice consumers into the craft beer community.

Edmonton Beer Geeks Anonymous gave information to the general public to help build the industry. The group promoted local breweries and beer, but according to spokesperson Shane Groendahl a big part of the organization’s purpose is being a great resource for anyone looking to learn more about the world of ale. “We try to teach (people who are unfamiliar with beer) what goes in the beer, what the ingredients are, where they come from, how they’re grown, and how they’re produced,” Groendahl says.

Cleissa Martins

Alberta Beer Girls, on the other hand, focused on craft beer education for women. Amanda Smerychynski, the group’s founder, says that the group was born from how women have historically been less prominent in the craft beer scene. “I thought it was a niche market that was missing a place in the community that just let women come and relax in a free space,” Smerychynski says.

Through the efforts of groups like ABG, Smerychynski adds, there’s been an increase in “women feeling comfortable coming out with other women just to hang out and check things on their own.”

Cleissa Martins

Whether you’re a beer geek, beer girl, or total novice, Smerychynski has some advice for you — sage words of wisdom that reflect the attitude of the festival and its attendees.

“Take your time,” Smerychynski says. “There is no right or wrong (way to approach) beer.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/edmonton-craft-beer-festiva/feed/033874Ride or die: Students and staff can rent bikes on campushttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/students-and-staff-can-rent-bikes/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/students-and-staff-can-rent-bikes/#respondSat, 10 Jun 2017 00:13:50 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33907Students walking through the South Academic Building often pass room 1-13 without knowing it’s a place for students to rent and repair bikes. The Bike Library is one of Sustain SU’s (a Students’ Union sustainability unit) initiatives on campus, with the goal of making sustainable transportation accessible to students. From April to November, students and […]

Students walking through the South Academic Building often pass room 1-13 without knowing it’s a place for students to rent and repair bikes.

The Bike Library is one of Sustain SU’s (a Students’ Union sustainability unit) initiatives on campus, with the goal of making sustainable transportation accessible to students. From April to November, students and staff at the University of Alberta can rent bikes from the bike library for either $5 per day or $10 per week, on top of a $60 deposit. The university community can also buy spare parts and repair bikes there for free, with help from their mechanic or from other biking enthusiasts visiting the workshop. The library is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer.

Destyni DeLuca, coordinator with Sustain SU, said demand for services at the library doubles during the summer, with up to 20 people coming into the workshop a day.

“It’s awesome, we love that we’re busy,” DeLuca said. “It’s definitely not a problem for us.”

While the Bike Library sees a lot of people from the university community using their services, it also attracts exchange student and other people visiting Edmonton on university-related matters. People visiting Edmonton often rent a bike for a day to tour the river valley, and the bike library’s staff try to point them in the direction of local businesses and other attractions.

“Our daily rentals aren’t a perfect system because we are only open two days a week,” DeLuca said. “So if you’re interested in a daily rental and you come on a Wednesday, they’ll have to be back by five.”

The library also hosts events where students can learn about bike safety. On March 28, volunteers from the library demonstrated safety techniques like proper hand signaling while biking from Main Campus to Café Bicyclette near Campus Saint-Jean.

“Making people aware of how to be safer is a big part of what we do because it helps them feel more comfortable commuting,” DeLuca said.

Currently, all the bikes in the library’s fleet are in use, so people looking to rent a bike will go on the waiting list, but the space is still open for people to make repairs.

“Our patrons help each other which is really cool, and we try to foster that attitude of community, which is a secondary goal of the workshop,” DeLuca said. “We want to contribute to a culture of sustainability.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/students-and-staff-can-rent-bikes/feed/033907An illustrated guide to campus wildlife in springhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/guide-to-campus-wildlife/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/guide-to-campus-wildlife/#respondFri, 09 Jun 2017 23:09:32 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33900Students are probably used to seeing squirrels, magpies, and jackrabbits on campus. To learn more about these critters, we sat down with John Acorn, a renowned local entomologist, naturalist, broadcaster, author, and star of Acorn, the Nature Nut. Acorn is currently a professor at the University of Alberta in the Department of Renewable Resources, and […]

Students are probably used to seeing squirrels, magpies, and jackrabbits on campus. To learn more about these critters, we sat down with John Acorn, a renowned local entomologist, naturalist, broadcaster, author, and star of Acorn, the Nature Nut. Acorn is currently a professor at the University of Alberta in the Department of Renewable Resources, and is a research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the E. H. Stikland Entomology Museum.

The Gateway: What species might we find around campus and in the river valley?

John Acorn: Canada geese are nesting on campus including on some of the buildings. Most of the little babies have jumped out of the nest, they bounce, and most of the time they can fly. Keep an eye out for the families but remember the parents are a bit protective.

People always notice the red squirrels, they’re always angry at each other or us so they’re fun. There’s also ravens nesting on the front of the Old Arts Building. We can hear birds singing, particularly the robins.

The other thing that people find most exciting when they see them are flying squirrels. But you have to be here at night to see them. Under the street lights, you’ll see these things climbing around and gliding tree to tree it’s fantastic. And they’re around all year.

Where would you recommend students look if they’re trying to find wildlife on campus?

You can go sit read a book quietly on a bench near one of the water features on campus and wait for birds to come and have a drink or have a bath. We have this fantastic chunk of river valley on the other side of Saskatchewan drive although some of it is fenced as an ecological reserve for research. You have everything from a huge diversity of birds to occasionally deer and coyotes.

And, of course, once you get to the river valley the trees aren’t all manicured so you have lots of holes in the trees for birds to nest and woodpeckers. You can find bats near the river just after sunset as well.

Now that we’re seeing more wildlife, what should we keep in mind to avoid harming local wildlife and ourselves?

Don’t panic if you see a baby jackrabbit. Baby jackrabbits are up and about but they’re hiding and really shy for the most part. What happens is people find these baby jackrabbits and go, “Oh no, it’s lost its parents!” and they bring it to wildlife rehabilitation who say, “Oh no, go put it back, just trust that they’re fine!” So, it’s a huge hassle for the wildlife rehabilitation centre.

If you do find a nest, leave it concealed. Don’t pull the branches back, leave the nesting birds and nesting animals alone. Watching at a respectful distance is perfectly good.

As an entomologist, what bugs do you look forward to seeing most when the weather warms up?

At this time of year, the thing people ask me and other entomologists about a lot is a beautiful thing called a Polyphemus moth. They fly to lights at night and they’re huge, as big as your hand.

June is also the best time to look for butterflies. The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail are popular. They’ve just come out in the last two days, they’re big and flashy. Watch the lilacs; there are all sorts of lilac bushes on campus where you can find butterflies.

Join Matt, Sam, and Joyce as they wander into a treacherous no man’s land of Greek gods, Gal Gadot, lassos of truth, and feminist side discussions in the Watch-men’s female and male ONLY review of Wonder Woman.

How did the Watch-men enjoy Wonder Woman? Click above to find out!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-82-wonder-woman/feed/133937U of A researchers link maternal education to pediatric malaria rateshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/uofa-link-education-to-malaria/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/uofa-link-education-to-malaria/#respondThu, 08 Jun 2017 20:35:35 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33766New malaria research shows that maternal education is just as effective at preventing childhood malaria as current vaccines. The University of Alberta’s Dr. Michael Hawkes conducted this study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mothers of two-month-old to five-year-old children reported on their own level of education, demographic, and socioeconomic status as well as […]

New malaria research shows that maternal education is just as effective at preventing childhood malaria as current vaccines.

The University of Alberta’s Dr. Michael Hawkes conducted this study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mothers of two-month-old to five-year-old children reported on their own level of education, demographic, and socioeconomic status as well as other factors such as recent bed net use and illness of children.

The study found a decrease in malaria in the children of mothers with at least a sixth-grade education compared to those without any education. Maternal education at or above the primary level led to a 53 per cent prevention rate of malaria compared to the current biomedical vaccine’s 30 per cent prevention rate.

Dr. Hawkes said it’s not malaria-specific knowledge that was responsible for a decrease in the disease’s prevalence but instead the impact of primary education on a mother’s livelihood and the quality of life of her children.

The study found that the use of bed nets and other safeguards was common knowledge among women, educated or not. However, having a primary education meant that mothers were more likely to have the “social connectedness, household wealth, and access to resources” needed to treat or prevent malaria in their children, Dr. Hawkes said.

“Something as simple as educating women can have a very powerful effect on childhood malaria rates,” he said.

Dr. Hawkes listed “human displacement, conflict and an entrenched malaria ecology” as the main factors for why the DRC ranks among the highest in the world for malaria-related deaths. Movement of people within the DRC during civil conflict into camps created an ample feeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitos.

Cary Ma, a second-year medical student who co-authored the study, added that “decimated healthcare resources” make the DRC particularly vulnerable to malaria outbreaks. Additionally, conflict caused difficulty in getting international aid to the nation, increasing the likelihood of the illness going untreated.

“The DRC, unlike its neighbours, has experienced a great deal of violent conflict and that is directly related to the increase in malaria rate,” Dr. Hawkes said.

Having lived and worked in Uganda for two years, Dr. Hawkes said he “became very interested in the study of infection in children of low and middle-income nations.”

For Ma, this research struck a chord because he’s the first in his family to receive a university education. Seeing family members experience health challenges made him aware of the correlation between education and wellbeing.

Ma took a special interest in the research because it focused on social determinants of health. For him, this research became “a perfect project that combined medicine and social sciences.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/uofa-link-education-to-malaria/feed/033766Students’ Union introduces program to empower women, non-binary studentshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/su-program-to-empowerwomen/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/su-program-to-empowerwomen/#respondWed, 07 Jun 2017 22:41:00 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33891A new Students’ Union cohort program at the University of Alberta plans to promote involvement in student governance for women and non-binary individuals. The program, called STRIDE, is designed to help solve a problem in the Students’ Union executive and council: diversity. Marina Banister, Students’ Union president, said the program is about progressing forward, as a […]

A new Students’ Union cohort program at the University of Alberta plans to promote involvement in student governance for women and non-binary individuals.

The program, called STRIDE, is designed to help solve a problem in the Students’ Union executive and council: diversity. Marina Banister, Students’ Union president, said the program is about progressing forward, as a community and campus.

“STRIDE is about knowledge and community and being confident about taking that first step (into student governance) or fiftieth step depending on where you are in your own university journey,” she said.

The approximately 25 participants in each cohort will meet in a three-hour session once a month. The summer cohort will run from June to August, and the winter cohort will run from September to April. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about elections and governance, as well as interact with established female leaders.

According to the Students’ Union, 56 percent of U of A students are women, but only 30 percent of SU councillors and a quarter of executive election candidates were women from 2005 to 2016.

“We have seen a lack of representation and we’ve heard from a number of our constituents that we need programming in order to fulfill that,” Banister said. “(That’s) the reason it’s important to have STRIDE.”

Various iterations of STRIDE have been in discussion in the Students’ Union for a long time, according to Banister. The key members behind the project include Rebecca Taylor, the manager of Discover Governance; Surma Das from the department of research and political affairs, and Michaela Mann, a member of the leadership department at the Students’ Union.

The name of the program is meant to have a “movement context to it. It’s about progressing forward and walking together,” Banister said. “One of the taglines we’re working with is ‘women stepping forward together.’”

Banister said she’s experienced the gender disparity personally during her time in student governance. When she ran for SU vice-president (academic) in 2016, she was one of only two female candidates in the executive elections compared to the 16 male candidates. In 2017, Marina was again one of only two women running in a field with 12 male candidates.

“I am used to it being a very male-dominated space,” Banister said. “A lot of the commentators from The Gateway and the student population also tend to be male voices.”

Banister also noted that many election volunteers and campaign managers are women, although they are not putting their names forward for election themselves.

“We see a lot of women involved who have a great understanding of what’s going on and what they need to do to win,” Banister said. “I have no doubt that women would do a great job if they were elected to these positions.”

Banister hopes to see an increased number of women and non-binary individuals participating in governance by next SU by-election, either by running themselves or working on a campaign. In the long-term, Banister said participant feedback and the overall impacts of the STRIDE program will dictate its future.

“Everyone should be able to look to their student leadership and see someone that they can relate to on some level,” she said. “And we’re not there yet.”

Applications for the fall and winter sessions of STRIDE will open in the fall.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/su-program-to-empowerwomen/feed/033891The Watch-Men Episode 81: American Godshttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-81-american-gods/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-81-american-gods/#commentsThu, 01 Jun 2017 19:37:29 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33852New gods battle the old as the Watch-men clash in their review of Starz’s new fantasy series American Gods. Since none of Sam, Matt, or Joyce have read the Neil Gaiman novel it’s based on, the pilot will have to sell them on whether to worship American Gods or leave it behind. How did the […]

New gods battle the old as the Watch-men clash in their review of Starz’s new fantasy series American Gods. Since none of Sam, Matt, or Joyce have read the Neil Gaiman novel it’s based on, the pilot will have to sell them on whether to worship American Gods or leave it behind.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/watch-men-episode-81-american-gods/feed/133852Ontario’s basic income pilot is a step in the right directionhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ontarios-basic-income-pilot/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ontarios-basic-income-pilot/#respondThu, 01 Jun 2017 18:30:54 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33793In only a matter of months, the Ontario government will roll out a basic income pilot project in three cities. Announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne, the pilot will provide around 4,000 residents in Hamilton, Thunder Bay, and Lindsay with extra cash to supplement their lack or low amount of income. The pilot is not just […]

In only a matter of months, the Ontario government will roll out a basic income pilot project in three cities.

Announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne, the pilot will provide around 4,000 residents in Hamilton, Thunder Bay, and Lindsay with extra cash to supplement their lack or low amount of income. The pilot is not just targeting those who are unemployed or homeless but individuals who are underemployed or working low-paying minimum wage jobs as well. The pilot’s goal is to improve the quality of life and job prospects of those living under or near the poverty line.

While this is not the first time a pilot project of this sort has been tried in Canada, this attempt is certainly the biggest and most comprehensive so far. It’s also a really, really big deal. If implemented right, basic income has the potential to transform how welfare works not just in Ontario, but the rest of Canada.

At its simplest, basic income is the idea that those who are poor should get the money they need. No complicated plans or strategies, just the government paying an income to those who need one. That direct and easy transfer of cash gives basic income numerous benefits over other forms of welfare. Most importantly, basic income is simple and could reduce the high administrative costs associated with other welfare programs.

Basic income is also unlike other forms of welfare as it can be set up in ways that don’t remove incentives for people to work. A common criticism of any welfare program is that people can be discouraged from working as they get the money they need from the government anyway. With a basic income program however, every dollar received from other sources (such as a salary) reduces the benefits provided to the recipient by only fifty cents, instead of eliminating benefits entirely like with other welfare programs. Under basic income, people will still be able to work without risking the total loss of their benefits.

With these benefits, it’s no wonder basic income has received a wide base of support over the years. Individuals from across the political spectrum have been in favour of it. Richard Nixon tried to implement basic income in the 1970s and Milton Friedman, the famous right-wing economist, praised the idea in one of his books.

Many officials in Canada have also long favoured basic income, and Ontario’s pilot project is not the first attempt by a province to implement the policy. Between 1974 and 1979, the Manitoban and federal governments tried out a similar pilot in the small town of Dauphin, MB. While the findings are still debated, it seems Dauphin was largely a success.

By the end of the program, the rate of doctor and hospital visits in the town had declined while the amount of high school students graduating had increased. Mothers reported being able to spend more time with their children and others reported improved mental health. While the research does show a slight decline in the rate of hours worked, it was minimal and the overall success of the project suggests this cost would be worth it.

But if basic income worked in Dauphin over 40 years ago, why isn’t it Canada-wide by now? Unfortunately, this mostly can be attributed to a series of elections in the late 70s that caused both levels of governments to changeover. The governments who replaced the previous ones were ultimately uninterested in continuing the project. No final report on the pilot was ever written up and the thousands of documents on the results are now sitting in some warehouse in Manitoba. It is only very recently, with the renewed interest in basic income, that researchers have begun examining these 40-year-old findings.

With promising past results and growing public interest in basic income, Ontario’s pilot project has the potential not just to work but to spread to the rest of Canada. If Ontario’s gamble succeeds, Canadians across the country may one day enjoy the numerous benefits of basic income.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ontarios-basic-income-pilot/feed/033793Ask Jonah: Rompers, bedtime stories, sauna rooms, and Jonah’s fun fact of the dayhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ask-jonah-rompers/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ask-jonah-rompers/#commentsThu, 01 Jun 2017 17:54:51 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33791Where can you turn when life throws a wrench into your plans? Who will lend an ear, reserve all judgement, and simply listen when you’re in need of answers to life’s toughest questions? Your mom, dad, or dearest childhood friend? No. You ask Jonah (with the neck tattoos). Have questions? Send them to opinion@gateway.ualberta.ca. When do I […]

Where can you turn when life throws a wrench into your plans? Who will lend an ear, reserve all judgement, and simply listen when you’re in need of answers to life’s toughest questions? Your mom, dad, or dearest childhood friend? No. You ask Jonah (with the neck tattoos). Have questions? Send them to opinion@gateway.ualberta.ca.

When do I become a man?

I chuckled aloud when I read this question as I had recently come across an article whose author claimed manhood is what you make it, and for him that meant wearing a male romper. A romper is basically a pair of coveralls with the arms missing and the legs cut in half. However, I’m not in favor of bastardizing a pair of coveralls to try out the romper-equals-manhood thesis. But I like the idea that manhood (womanhood, brotherhood, sisterhood, or neighbourhood) is what you make it. I feel that most card-carrying existentialists would probably agree too. So you can try living a different philosophy. And if you don’t feel like doing any fancy book learning, wearing a romper might generate a good Snapchat story and your own version of manhood.

What’s a good bedtime story?

When my sister and I were small children and would visit my grandparents, Grandma would occasionally read us a bedtime story from a big yellow book called The Adventures of Curious George. And last Christmas, my aunt and uncle’s family gave me a small yellow book called Keep Curious and Carry a Banana: Wisdom from the World of Curious George. I find that reading Curious George stories have always been good before bedtime. My favorite Curious George story from the big yellow book of my childhood is the one where the man in the yellow hat gives George a bicycle and George rides around town getting into all sorts of mischief. That particular story, which was read to me as a child, might speak to why I spent a decade of my adult life riding a motorcycle around and getting into my own version of mischief.

Steam or sauna?

I actually didn’t know the difference between a steam and sauna room until the fitness centre in the Van Vliet Complex closed for renovations in May and for a few weeks I went to the Saville Sports Centre to work out. The change room in Van Vliet has a sauna room and the Gold Locker Room at Saville has a steam room, and I have used both amenities. The sauna room is dry and is heated with an electric element while the steam room has plumbing that spews hot vapour into the space. I favour the sauna over the steam room because when I leave the sauna I’m not wrinkly from the water. But you’ll likely encounter social weirdness in either hot space you choose to use after a workout. It was my second or third time using the steam room at Saville and I stepped into the space to discover a dude in the nude doing some stretching. And back during the Fall term, I stepped into the sauna at Van Vliet and encountered a dude in the nude reading The Gateway magazine — actually that dude was me. Although I can’t speak to the health or fitness benefits of a steam or sauna after a workout, I do know that, regardless of the room you choose to use, you’ll come out hot and slimy.

What’s your fun fact of the day?

All of my responses are gluten free.

Who is Jonah?

He’s 29 (but he’ll tell you he’s 30), and he left a career as a ticketed automotive service technician to study English and Philosophy at the U of A. Just like you, Jonah doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up, and has never held a steady relationship for more than a year. But he does own his own house, rides motorcycles, and is 4-0 as an amateur boxer. So, if you need advice from a guy who claims to have “seen Fight Club close to 50 times,” and has a tattoo of Curious George holding a banana, all you have to do is ask Jonah.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/06/ask-jonah-rompers/feed/233791Over 9,000 fish dead, researchers left in the lurchhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/9000-fish-dead/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/9000-fish-dead/#respondWed, 31 May 2017 22:36:46 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33836A power failure caused by a corroded switch has led to the death of over 9,000 fish in the Biological Science Aquatics Facility at the University of Alberta. The deaths occurred between 4 p.m. on May 12 and the morning of May 13 when the switch providing power to a dechlorination system failed. A backup […]

A power failure caused by a corroded switch has led to the death of over 9,000 fish in the Biological Science Aquatics Facility at the University of Alberta.

The deaths occurred between 4 p.m. on May 12 and the morning of May 13 when the switch providing power to a dechlorination system failed. A backup dechlorinating pump was in place, but it was wired to the same corroded switch.

The flood of chlorinated water in all freshwater tanks in the facilities killed:

1, 093 adult trout and 6,000 trout fingerlings

2,073 goldfish

96 carp

6 graylings

75 frogs

Since the situation was discovered, the pump has been replaced and an alarm has been added to warn animal welfare staff if there is a future failure.

In a press conference on May 30, Lorne Babiuk, Vice-President (Research) of the U of A, said the fish were actively being used in research and teaching for studies focusing on environmental toxins such as hydraulic fracturing fluid, microplastics, environmental pathogens, herbicides, pesticides, and climate change. The accident has directly affected 15 researchers, as well as about 40 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate students. Though Babiuk said it was hard to put a number on the monetary damage, it’s estimated that up to six months of work was lost. The university is following up with anyone whose work was affected by the accident.

This incident is the second major accident to have affected research at the U of A. In early April, a freezer malfunction at the Canadian Ice Core Archive caused some of the specimens to melt, damaging 12.8 per cent of the collection. Additionally, a broken heater left over two dozen fish dead in the Koi fish pond by the Humanities Centre this winter.

Mike Belosevic, a professor in the Department of Biological Science, said that since the fish deaths will impact the research productivity of professors, it may impact their ability to get grants in the future.

Babiuk also said that the project wasn’t identified on the university’s deferred maintenance list, and that individual departments and researchers were responsible for the purchase, maintenance, and replacement for the equipment that was part of the failure. Because of that, it would be impossible to predict similar accidents in the future.

Upgrades to the facility were being planned prior to the accident with a long-term, four-phase renewal set to take five years, with the total cost at $25 million. Phase one of the project will begin as soon as possible, and $2.4 million has been secured for it. When asked if the planned upgrades would have fixed the problem causing the animal deaths, Babiuk said it “probably would not have.”

In the meantime, research at the Aquatics Facility will resume once it’s deemed safe to do so by the university and the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

“The University of Alberta regrets the loss of any animal in our care and we are doing everything possible to ensure this does not happen again,” Babiuk said.

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/9000-fish-dead/feed/033836PLLC Isn’t Financially Sustainable According to External Reporthttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/pllc-sustainable-external-report/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/pllc-sustainable-external-report/#commentsTue, 30 May 2017 17:54:35 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33768A recent report on the Peter Lougheed Leadership College (PLLC) reveals the significant funding issues facing the program. The report, written by Peter MacKinnon in February 2017, was publically released on The Quad, the University of Alberta’s admin-run blog. MacKinnon, who was the president of the University of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2012, praised the nature […]

A recent report on the Peter Lougheed Leadership College (PLLC) reveals the significant funding issues facing the program.

The report, written by Peter MacKinnon in February 2017, was publically released on The Quad, the University of Alberta’s admin-run blog. MacKinnon, who was the president of the University of Saskatchewan from 1999 to 2012, praised the nature and quality of the PLLC’s programming, but was critical of its future, reporting that “as seen from 2016, the college is not sustainable.”

Launched in September 2015, the PLLC is a two-year academic program where students take leadership courses and earn a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies. It aims to accept 125 students a year, and its first cohort of 45 students are set to graduate this year.

Money problems

MacKinnon found that while the financial commitment from the Government of Alberta of $70 million over 10 years has been realized, matching federal grants and philanthropic support are not in sight. As the report explains, the anticipated money from the federal and provincial government, and money from donors, was supposed to be part of an endowment to support the college in the future.

MacKinnon also reported that the provincial funds going towards the college might be used up before the end of the 10-year commitment because they are being spent at a fast rate. He added that “continuing operations are in jeopardy unless new sources of revenue are confirmed.”

U of A President David Turpin told The Gateway that by having this report done early in the program’s existence, the university has time to consider other financial options as there are enough funds to last until 2025.

“There are going to be a whole series of things to think and talk about over the coming years,” Turpin said. “Because we got the money that is projected to flow until the middle part of the next decade, it gives us a great deal of time to figure out how to make the college sustainable in the long term.”

While Turpin is optimistic about stabilizing the collage’s financial situation, former 2015-16 Students’ Union Vice-President (Operations and Finance) Cody Bondarchuk doesn’t believe that will be possible.

“There have been a number of opportunities where the university could have looked at their criticism and figured out how to restructure the program to be better,” he said. “Honestly I think now it’s just a question of when the program will fold.”

Peter Lougheed Hall

Another weakness MacKinnon addresses in his report is the unlikelihood that the college’s new residence on the northeast corner of North Campus, Peter Lougheed Hall (PLH), will see half of its 143 spaces occupied by PLLC students when it opens this fall. The rent per person for a two-bedroom space in the hall is $1,948 per month, including a mandatory all-you-can-eat meal plan. A one-bedroom room costs $2,075 monthly.

MacKinnon suggested the residence use the $5,000 award given to each PLLC student as a credit towards fees at the hall. The award currently is used for a “stretch experience,” which is a component of the PLLC where students must complete 200 hours of paid or volunteer leadership activities.

In a draft response to the report, Martin Ferguson-Pell, Vice-Principal of the PLLC, disagreed with MacKinnon’s recommendation, arguing it would create access issues for students. Since the stretch experience’s 200 hours can involve unpaid work, the $5,000 award is meant to offset the opportunity cost.

However, Bondarchuk says that MacKinnon’s recommendation makes sense.

“There should be some funding for stretch experience,” he said. “It should be contingent on what each individual student is actually doing. Some of the students are flexing their leadership to go work at places that will pay them, and then they’re getting a check from the Leadership College for nothing. It shouldn’t be everybody getting that $5,000.”

Who to report to

MacKinnon’s report also mentions the PLLC’s accountability. Currently, the PLLC’s administration reports to the university’s President and not the Office of the Provost like other academic programs.

“Reporting to the president’s office means there is little accountability,” Bondarchuk said. “The president only reports to the Board of Governors which is really only concerned with financial matters, not academic.”

Trupin agreed with MacKinnon’s recommendation that the PLLC should report to the Office of the Provost and said it’s something he plans on looking at.

Despite the challenges laid out in the report, Turpin said he feels positively about the college’s outlook and said the report’s feedback will be helpful in sustaining the PLLC.

“What (the report) says is that this is a great program,” he said. “It says that students are enjoying it, that it’s unique in the Canadian context, and that it’s never too early to start thinking what we should do in the long term to sustain this unique leadership initiative.”

]]>https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/pllc-sustainable-external-report/feed/433768Studio Talks with Jordan Norman and The Wisdom Teethhttps://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/talk-jordan-norman/
https://www.thegatewayonline.ca/2017/05/talk-jordan-norman/#respondTue, 30 May 2017 05:22:05 +0000http://thegatewayonline.ca/?p=33804Walking into Velveteen Audio, a recording studio in downtown Edmonton, Jordan Norman ushers us inside. “You guys want a beer?” he asks. The man is a crowd pleaser — and nothing says “welcome to this nondescript downtown building,” like an Old Milwaukee. The outside might be lackluster, but inside, the purple walls of a laid-back living room […]

Walking into Velveteen Audio, a recording studio in downtown Edmonton, Jordan Norman ushers us inside. “You guys want a beer?” he asks. The man is a crowd pleaser — and nothing says “welcome to this nondescript downtown building,” like an Old Milwaukee. The outside might be lackluster, but inside, the purple walls of a laid-back living room space lead to the door of the recording studio. This room, like any other studio, is filled with the tense sight of a dude fucking around with what seems like a billion knobs. But any trace of seriousness in the air is muted by the playful sounds of one of Norman’s latest tracks being performed live.

Edmonton band Jordan Norman and The Wisdom Teeth has been putting out grungy sing-your-heart-out folk tunes since the release of their 2011 debut album, Before We Say Goodnight. Their sound has the heartfelt lyrics and acoustic sounds of folk, but it’s not nearly as mellow as the stuff your girlfriend’s dad plays around a campfire. Norman complements this style with distorted guitar sounds and the introspective and sometimes angsty lyrics of grunge akin to a mix between Neil Young and Nirvana.

Behind the glass of the studio, the band is wrapping up the recording of their newest album, which is currently untitled. Aside from putting together new tunes, Jordan Norman and The Wisdom Teeth have spent their time well in the Edmonton music scene. Back in March, they had a chance to open for the locally beloved band The Rural Alberta Advantage (RAA) for their sold-out show at The Needle.

“It was so magical. It felt like they were there to see us just as much as they were there to see RAA,” says Vicky Berg, back-up vocalist, melodica player, and keyboardist for the band. “The three of us managed to fill the room with sound, and people just responded so well. And you don’t get to do that a lot because you don’t have a room full of people all ready. For the most part you have to bring your own people to your shows, and that’s such a chore sometimes. But if there’s already a room full of people, then you just get to do your thing and it’s all right.”

One reason why the crowd loved and interacted with a relatively unknown band like The Wisdom Teeth can be attributed to Norman’s onstage presence and sense of humour, important factors for any audience member trying to have fun. Some bands, Norman acknowledges, can pull off the whole “brooding artist” thing, but that list is a lot shorter than those who try to unsuccessfully adopt the angst. “I get that everybody is different and that different styles of music demand different things, but for me, ultimately we’re there to have fun and make people enjoy the experience.”

This lightheartedness is also evident in the lyrics of most of the band’s tracks. “At the RAA show I played the first song — that was “Lip Bomb” — and the first line is a joke and the whole song is a joke, it’s all filled with puns and stuff. So I said the first line and there were all these people at the front that just giggled, and you get that and it’s just shocking. Like they actually heard it, interpreted it, and I knew it was going to be easy from there,” Norman recalls.

A chill and outgoing band is something Norman looks for and appreciates as an audience member. “The first sign of a show I’m not likely to enjoy is the band that’s clearly taking themselves too seriously. Normally I do a lot of stage banter and just feed off people,” he says.

Norman’s bandmates also see the importance of having someone who isn’t afraid to loosen up behind the mic. “I think he’s always trying to make each show special on its own, whether it’s through a different silly joke or a shtick or gimmick just because he wants everyone to have fun,” says Alex Vissia, back-up vocalist. “He’s really about having fun. He wants everyone to laugh at his shows. He writes some serious songs, but he’s really good at showing off his personality and people really take to that. He’s not afraid of making fun of himself, either. I think people are really drawn to that sense of humour.”

If you take the time to look around Edmonton and listen to local bands like Jordan Norman and The Wisdom Teeth, the amount of musical ability in this isolated prairie city can be quite astounding.

“The talent here is incredible,” Norman says. “I’ll hear someone’s favourite local band that I’ve never heard of and I’ll go see them and think, ‘Who are these people? They’re incredible.’ And not to sound arrogant, but the guys who play in the (upcoming) record here are stunningly good musicians. Like Trevor McNeely, Kurtis Cockerill, Geoff O’Brien, Alex Vissia, and Vicky Berg.”

Norman argues that there is some sort of stigma around artists hailing from cities seemingly in the middle of nowhere. His lead guitarist, Trevor McNeely, who Norman says is undoubtedly good enough to play for a band like Alabama Shakes, is an easy example. But from the public’s point of view and the tendency to evaluate artists based solely on where they happen to be living, Norman points out that McNeely might not be perceived to be as good as someone who’s from Nashville — which, he argues, is a serious underappreciation of talent. Norman argues that there are upsides to being in a small music scene, though. “There are tons of musicians and everyone is a supportive musician, so everyone is pushing themselves up to be better. No one here has an ego.”

And he thinks people shouldn’t be so quick to judge Edmonton and its place in the music world: “I think Edmonton has one of the best music scenes that I’ve ever experienced. I’ve heard Winnipeg has a similar thing, and arguably we’re very similar cities. I think we’re very often the underdog; we’re often overlooked.”

At the heart of Norman’s sentiments lies the idea that one can swap the musicians in Edmonton and Nashville and the difference wouldn’t be tangible. That’s Nashville, Tennessee, a city that’s produced decades of renowned musicians: Willie Nelson, Lady Antebellum, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix. And if that isn’t a big enough endorsement to get out there and explore the local music scene, I don’t know what is.

Atmosphere

Nomiya’s one of those hidden spots that too many ardent noodle lovers don’t know about. Despite the coverage they get in the food sections of some magazines, I feel like they don’t get enough exposure. I don’t know why! It’s not like the atmosphere’s not inviting. You’re greeted as soon as you walk in the door (with a hearty いらっしゃいませ！— irasshaimase, or “welcome”) and seated at one of the cozy tables or booths that fill the warm red-and-black interior. They semi-recently expanded, too, so there’s even more space for anyone who wants to bring along a big party. The service is pretty quick, the staff are always friendly, and it’s just a space that makes you feel glad to eat there.

The Noodles

I’ve had almost every noodle-based dish they offer at Nomiya. From the ramen to the soba to the udon, I can’t stress this enough: EVERYTHING IS DELICIOUS. Like, criminally so. I’m a big fan of ramen in particular, and I highly recommend the tonkotsu, or pork-based, ramen in particular. The broth is simmered for hours to create a rich, milky liquid that has an incredible depth of flavour. There are broths for everyone: the shio (salt) ramen is on the lighter side, the spicy miso will leave heat lovers happy, and the seafood ramen offers up a nice variety of surf in a ramen menu of mostly turf. There’s also a vegetarian ramen. Seriously: so many options. Combined with the bamboo shoots, corn, seaweed, green onions, naruto, meat if you get a dish with meat in it, and the noodles, choosing any of the ramen dishes will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Speaking of the meat: I am not a big pork person. I’m not really one for tons of meat in general. But on the rare occasions I do partake in pork, it’s pretty much only on two occasions: if I’m eating BBQ pork buns (bless) or the ramen at Nomiya. It’s tasty and steeped in flavour and succulent, and if you’re someone who can and likes to eat pork, I’d suggest having a few bites.

Ramen’s the go-to choice for cold days (and hot days, if you’re me), but if you’re looking to cool down while indulging in a noodle-based delight, try the zaru soba. They’re served chilled with a delectable broth-sauce, so they’re a great option if you’re feeling the heat.

And I know this is technically a noodle column, but their sushi is bomb AF too. My favourite is the maki combo, but you’re doing yourself a serious favour ordering anything at Nomiya that involves sashimi/raw fish. I have no clue how they do it in the middle land-locked Edmonton, but somehow they always manage to have to freshest g-dang fish you’ve ever tried at the ready for every order. Scout’s honour. The chicken karaage is also really good. And their tempura is nice and light and always perfectly cooked. It sounds like I’m listing everything, and I am. Because, re: above, EVERYTHING. IS. DELICIOUS.

Overall

There’s a trend in all my Noodle Nation reviews: I don’t like to review places I think serve bad noodles. I love to highlight the best and the brightest, and Nomiya is definitely one of these. It’s simple why it’s such a great place: it’s clean, inviting, cozy, and authentic. Fresh ingredients, awesome people, and at the end of every meal, you get to eat MiLKiTa candies. What more could any noodle-loving patron ask for?

How can we subvert anti-Black racism’s hold on visual culture? Shantel Miller and Danièle Dennis channel Solange as they mobilize spectators to challenge dominant narratives and reflect on contemporary Black experiences.Skin Glowing in the Moonlight is styled after a verse in the song “Scales” on Solange’s 2016 album, A Seat at the Table. Toronto-based artists Shantel Miller and Danièle Dennis are drawn to Solange’s work through what they see as a shared commitment to reflecting on contemporary experiences of Blackness through creative means. The use of Solange’s lyrics in this title functions as a sort of code, where those familiar with the singer-songwriter’s work may identify the exhibition as a space for examining Black experiences.

While initially apprehensive about this title’s invocation of the widely-acclaimed film Moonlight, the artists recognized that this connection might serve as an entry point for viewers into the themes of skin, colour, and light explored in the exhibition. Skin Glowing in the Moonlight is composed of three distinct bodies of work — a portrait series titled Side Profile by Miller and two video performance installations by Dennis — all of which interact to provide a multi-faceted reflection on contemporary Black experiences and their distortion through prejudicial narratives.

Shantel Miller’s Side Profile series melds the intimacy of portrait painting with the scrutinizing gaze of mugshot portraiture to interrogate harmful, pervasive representations of Black men. An unsettling halogen yellow tone bathes the gallery walls in such a way that the canvases — which have been installed at eye level – emerge as extensions of the space that have been brought under a spotlight.Each piece is titled after the sitter’s first name. The subjects of Side Profile are family members and friends of the artist.

“The series was birthed out of my relationship with my brothers,” Miller explains. “I contrast the sensitivity I developed at home towards Black men with how they are scrutinized by society.”

Miller’s sensitive treatment of her sitters imbues the figures with a sense of personality. Tension emerges as the sitters assert themselves as subjects in the face of visual conventions designed to categorize, distort, and dehumanize. The emerging interaction is one where gaze holds power, and implicates the spectator as a potential agent of epistemic violence. While averted eyes are often associated with subordination and vulnerability, refusal to meet the spectator’s gaze is resignified here as a form of protest against the viewer’s presumed authority.

“I’ve painted my subjects in side profile as a method of redistributing power as they refuse to meet the gaze of their voyeur,” Miller adds. “Their bodies are open to consumption, but it’s their eyes that render the viewer as an intruder.”

Involving the spectator in a recognition of Black subjecthood and its erasure through pervasive negative images is vital to the consciousness-raising work of the Side Profile series. To this end, Miller believes that the viewer, subject, and the relationship between the two must be activated for the piece to be successful. “Collectively, these elements work together to help unravel the systemic politics inherent in looking and how these politics alter perceptions,” she explains.

Danièle Dennis explores narratives surrounding Blackness and Black women in particular through her two video performance-installations, Colour Me Bad and Try a Little Tenderness. In the former, Dennis performs three constructs of Blackness by colouring her body with berries, spices, and dirt. By applying materials directly onto her skin, she interrogates the arbitrary narratives imposed on Blackness and asks, “What does it mean to be Black?”

Try a Little Tenderness poetically responds to tiresome calls disproportionately directed at women of colour to make themselves appealing to others and engage in unrecognized emotional labour. Dennis applies tufts of bright pink cotton candy to her face as alienating opera music plays in the background. While the sugary confection appears soft and endearing at first, it rapidly transforms into a sticky tar that eventually hardens into uncomfortable sugar crystals. This literal enactment of sugarcoating illustrates the violence inherent in the angry Black woman trope and its role in policing Black feminine expression through humiliation.

Miller and Dennis weave distinct but interconnected conversations about experiences and representations of Blackness in North America. The works in Skin Glowing in the Moonlight collaboratively build a space to interrupt, confront, and rewrite harmful dominant narratives of Blackness. Even as they are enriched by sharing a space, Miller and Dennis’ works draw from each respective artist’s individual experience and should be read as such.

“While a relationship between both bodies of work is evident and important, it’s also crucial to consider the many differences between the works produced by two black women,” Miller notes. “At the end of the day, our experiences may be similar but they are very different.”